Count the whole energy bill.

What we found

The cleanup estimate is much larger than the security.

Alberta’s oil-sands mines had $1.8 billion in cleanup backing. That was the amount held in September 2025. The cleanup cost was put at $51.9 billion. That estimate comes from 2024 reports. [1]

A solar trade barrier has already ended.

Some special taxes on Chinese solar panels are gone. They ended for goods cleared at the border from September 17, 2026. This covers the panels named in the trade order. [3]

Our case for change

Make firms fund cleanup as they go. Let clean power compete on its full cost, with fair access to cheap parts and the grid.

A cleanup promise needs backing.

The Alberta figures cover oil-sands mines, not all oil wells or all of Canada. The $51.9 billion estimate comes from the 2024 reporting year. The $1.8 billion is security held in September 2025 to back cleanup duties.

Cleanup costs are not due all at once. The gap is not a proven taxpayer debt. Firms still owe the cleanup. But the auditor found a high risk that mine assets are valued too highly. That could delay deposits and leave the public at risk.

[1]

Use the right ledger.

Federal pipeline rules already call for funds or backing for cleanup. The Canada Energy Regulator allows trusts, bonds and bank letters. Some funds build up over time. Its yearly reports show the amounts.

Keep mines, wells and pipelines separate. Compare each cost estimate with the backing for the same assets. Then stress-test weak prices, failed firms and higher cleanup costs. Do not add unlike figures into one huge, false bill.

[2]

Let cheap clean power compete.

The trade order on certain Chinese solar panels ended on September 17, 2026. Those panels no longer face its special dumping and subsidy taxes when they clear the border. Test what buyers now pay. Remove other needless costs. Keep sound safety rules.

George Babu’s Build Canada memo calls for more power and faster grid work. We share that goal. Compare power that meets the same need, at the same times. Include finance, wires, backup, storage, harm and cleanup where they apply. Oil exports and home power serve different needs.

[3][4]

The strongest challenge to our case

Full cleanup security up front can tie up money and hurt sound firms. Solar also has land, grid and waste costs. Set clear funding steps as damage grows, with strong tests of risk. The same full-cost test must apply to each option.

[1][2]

What we want changed

Back the cleanup promise.
The bodies that set energy rules should require clear funding plans. Show the costs, the backing and any gaps. Keep each asset group separate.
Buy power on fair terms.
Power planners should compare the same service and full cost. Open imports and grid access. Publish any public aid and who bears each risk.