Should Canada's oilsands crude be declared more harmful?

Experts from the European Union's member countries reached a stalemate Thursday on whether to declare Canada's oilsands crude as more harmful to the environment than other fuels.

Is oilsands crude 'dirtier' than other oil? (Canadian Press)The proposal will now go to the European Council, which will vote in the late spring or early summer.

Canada is fighting the proposal, which would make fuel derived from the oilsands more expensive for Europeans than other fuels. Canada doesn't sell much oil to Europe, but could expand exports in the future.

Canada's ambassador to the EU has even threatened going to the World Trade Organization if the proposal goes ahead.

Environmentalists, however, say that ranking fuel based on their carbon footprint and setting the price accordingly is an important way to curb greenhouse gas emissions.

Should Canada's oilsands crude be declared more harmful to the environment? Let us know what you think.



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