One of Many Tailings ponds within the Oil Sands
As most Canadians know, the Oil Sands are a huge part of Canada’s market as 5% of its GDP comes from oil, while bitumen makes up 25% of the nations exports. While this has its benefits, the oil industry growth in Canada is causing the environment to suffer, as well as putting the country in risk of Dutch Disease. While a big part of business ethics is focused on the environmental impact of a corporation as well as the condition of living in communities surrounding them, oil companies in the Tar Sands have produced 170 square kilometres of mining waste that come in forms of toxic lakes. The growth of this industry also draws near a very fine line as one of the most recent projects, the Keystone pipeline XL threatens many first nations groups living in Canada.
A Protest Against the Building of the Keystone XL Pipeline
Building this pipeline would impose against many aboriginal treaties made in the past not to infringe upon their sacred land, and would raise questions on whether actions made by large corporations and the government are done with Canadians in mind, rather than finances. As stated by Milton Friedman, these large corporations are engaging in activities designed to increase the profits gained, as long as the actions stay within the laws of society. This being said, it can be concluded that business ethics are not an idea to improve the human condition, they are a restraint to try lessen the detrimental effects of large corporations on society.
Links to all sources:
http://tarsandssolutions.org/in-the-media/first-nations-bear-the-risks-of-oilsands-development
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/industry-news/energy-and-resources/topic/Keystone-XL-Pipeline
http://thetyee.ca/Opinion/2011/10/14/Canadian-Ethical-Challenges/
http://www.rt.com/usa/native-americans-keystone-block-792/