Canada -- a stable country with the highest standards of environmental and social responsibility -- is the largest provider of energy to the U.S..

The Canadian oil sands are a vital resource that supplies responsible energy to Canada and North America. Located in Northern Alberta, oil sands are developed using two techniques: surface mining or in situdrilling. Surface mining, which is used to develop 20 percent of the resource, utilizes large electric shovels and trucks. In more than 40 years, oil sands development has disturbed approximately 530 square kilometers of land. The other 80 percent of the resource must be developed using advanced in situ drilling technology, similar to conventional oil production.

All lands disturbed by oil sands development must be fully reclaimed under both federal and provincial laws. The land, air, and water surrounding development are closely monitored and companies must abide by one of the strongest government regulatory systems in the world.

Oil sands development does not go ahead without direct and meaningful Aboriginal consultation about both environmental impacts and economic benefits. Discussion, science, stakeholder viewpoints and disputes are brought forward transparently at public, government-moderated hearings.

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