Industry Wish List.

During the spring of 2020, the oil and gas industry in Alberta faced significant challenges due to plummeting oil prices and reduced demand for fuel. Lobbyists for the industry approached government officials, arguing that they needed financial assistance and government support to survive the COVID-19 pandemic and the oil market crash. However, documents obtained by The Narwhal reveal that the lobbying efforts went beyond immediate survival and included a long-standing industry "wish list." The list included proposed changes in areas such as wetlands, oilsands monitoring, tailings ponds, and public involvement, which had been previously discussed in lobbying efforts before the pandemic. Critics expressed concern about the scale and scope of these requests, suggesting that they sought to remove environmental protections. The lobbying efforts were conducted through a committee called the "COVID-19 Market Crisis Joint Working Group," which included industry representatives and government officials. Some government officials referred to the list of requests as "CAPP 132," using the acronym of the lobby group, the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers. Critics also raised concerns about the composition of the committee, which included four lobbyists and a political chief of staff. [Extracted from the article]