Canada's proposed $20 billion oil sands carbon storage project faces criticism as a costly boondoggle with minimal global emissions impact

A new editorial argues that the proposed Pathways carbon capture and storage project for Alberta's oil sands is a $20 billion boondoggle, with 75% of costs covered by taxpayers. Former Suncor executive Martha Hall Findlay now opposes the project, citing negligible global emissions reductions of less than 0.02%. The Fraser Institute report highlights CCUS inefficiency, cost overruns, and that it often boosts oil recovery rather than cutting emissions. The piece contrasts this with selling Canadian natural gas globally to replace coal power as a more effective climate strategy. It questions the value of expensive CCS when Canada produces only 1.6% of global emissions. The debate centers on whether taxpayer money should fund large-scale carbon storage for the oil sands or be directed elsewhere for greater decarbonization impact.