IISD report estimates value of subsidies to Canada's oil industry at $2.84 billion in 2008

IISD report estimates value of subsidies to Canada's oil industry at $2.84 billion in 2008
Findings can assist with the development of an energy strategy for Canada

WINNIPEG—November 2, 2010—Canadian federal and provincial governments provided $2.84 billion to support oil production in 2008, according to study released today by the International Institute for Sustainable Development.

The comprehensive report uses an internationally agreed definition of subsidy adopted by the World Trade Organization* to determine the value of oil production subsidies in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Newfoundland & Labrador. This detailed analysis is the first of its kind in Canada and allows appropriate comparisons of subsidies with other countries.

"The data in this study will help Canadian and provincial governments as they develop an energy strategy for Canada over the next year," said IISD president and CEO Franz Tattenbach. "The report is a constructive input to that process.

"It sets out the financial, economic and environmental trade-offs implied by these subsidies at the federal and provincial level. This is invaluable to decision-makers as they seek to integrate economic development with options to improve public finances and lower greenhouse gas emissions."

The report estimates the impact of existing subsidies over the next 10 years. The study forecasts the cost of subsidies to governments would double by 2020. The report estimates a 2 per cent rise in Canada's greenhouse gas emissions by 2020 and a projected rate of growth for the oil production industry.

As a member of the G20, Canada has recognized that efforts to deal with climate change, wasteful energy consumption, market distortions and barriers to clean energy investment are undermined by inefficient fossil-fuel subsidies and has pledged to phase out its inefficient fossil-fuel subsidies over the medium term.

The federal and provincial governments have already made progress in reducing the level of subsidies and incentives to the oil production industry, though a number of significant subsidies remain and new ones have emerged.

According to the study, the federal government's share of subsidies in 2008 was $1.38 billion. Within the provincial governments, Alberta was estimated at $1.05 billion, Saskatchewan at $327 million and Newfoundland & Labrador at $83 million. A total of 63 subsidy programs were identified. In most cases, the subsidies were intended to increase exploration and development through a mix of tax breaks and royalty reductions.

Media contacts

In Canada:                                                                     In Switzerland:
Nona Pelletier                                                                 Damon Vis-Dunbar
IISD Media and Communications Officer                              GSI Communications and Network Coordinator
Phone +1 204 958-7740                                                   Phone: +41 22 917-8848
Cell: +1 204 962-1303                                                     Cell: +41 78 818-0501
E-mail: npelletier@iisd.ca                                                     E-mail: dvis-dunbar@iisd.org

Note to editors:

* The working definition of the World Trade Organization's Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures (ASCM) is supported by 153 countries including Canada. According to the ASCM, a "subsidy" includes four types: 1) Provides direct or indirect transfer of funds or liabilities; 2) Revenue is foregone or not collected; 3) Provides goods or services below market value; and 4) Provides income or price support. In addition the WTO requires a subsidy to be specific to an enterprise, industry or group of industries.

About IISD and GSI

IISD is a policy research institute headquartered in Winnipeg, with offices in Ottawa, New York and Geneva. IISD's GSI is a Geneva-based program that undertakes research on government subsidies and their impacts on sustainable development. GSI has produced numerous reports that survey and quantify subsidies, most notably in the biofuels and oil industries.