Article content continued

“By providing immediate help to businesses, and to Canadians in need, we have put in place one of the most generous response plans in the world,” she said by email.

“When recovery begins, Canada will recover stronger and more resilient by investing in a greener future. To that end, we will continue to move forward with our policy commitments. Just like science is guiding us in our response to COVID-19, it will continue to guide us in our fight against climate change.”

Environment critics see the list of demands as the industry’s attempt to use the COVID-19 crisis as cover to curb health and safety policies, and put off regulations that will help the environment.

“It’s a crass attempt to take advantage of a global health crisis,” said Dale Marshall, national climate program manager with Environmental Defence.

He said many of the requests are about things CAPP has repeatedly lobbied against without success up to now, including the carbon price, clean-fuel standards, and restrictions on methane emissions from oil production.

In an interview with The Canadian Press, McMillan said the root of the requests come from the industry’s need to maintain safe and essential operations as it follows health guidelines. That includes limiting employees on worksites and maintaining physical distancing for those who need to be there.

The industry also wants to ensure no new laws or regulations are implemented until proper consultations can be completed, and that the industry is given time to recover from this price shock. McMillan told O’Regan the fossil fuel sector wants to both survive the crisis and be part of Canada’s economic recovery when it has been resolved.