Thursday Oct 29 2009
At 7:30 am this morning a group of activists with RAN Toronto showed up to a sustainable business conference at which Sandra Odendahl Director of Environmental Affairs for RBC was slated to speak about sustainability as a strategic business opportunity. To their surprise “TarSandra” and her good buddy “Big Oil ” were already there, cavorting around in secret and trying to hide their lucrative and hypoactive romance from the eyes of attendees and the public who are lead to believe RBC is a sustainable and responsible company. In reality RBC is the largest financier of Tar Sands projects in the world, contributing 19.5 billion since 2007 alone. Wrapped in bed sheets that read “RBC + Tar Sands = An Environmental Affair?” TarSandra and Big Oil frolicked and revealed their once secret romance throughout the conference area, calling attention to RBC’s green washing tactics and lack of ethics in financing the dirty tar sands; the most destructive industrial project on earth. Upon entering the conference TarSandra, Big Oil, and the RAN Toronto activists were removed by hotel personnel whereby they continued the protest outside handing out flyers and information to participants entering the hotel for the conference. One conference participant even promised to ask Sandra a question about the Tar Sands and call out RBC’s so called sustainable business practices!
“RBC is hypocritical in preaching sustainability while financing the tar sands. The tar sands are the shame of Canada, they are destroying the Athabasca river, the boreal forest, and violating the rights and health of indigenous communities in the region. They are one of the largest green house gas emitters in Canada and will single handily prevent Canada from meeting any type of climate commitment” said Maryam Adrangi one of the activists.
This action comes on the heels of a die-in protest at an RBC branch in Ottawa organized by RAN Toronto, and RAN’s Eriel Deranger on Monday October 26th, where around 100 people swarmed the RBC branch across from parliament hill and feigned death to demand RBC stop financing the tar sands.
“This type of complete disregard for the rights of indigenous peoples and the environment is not a sustainable business practice, in fact it is the exact opposite. If RBC is to tout itself as a leader in responsibility and sustainability it would develop sound environmental and human rights policies and invest in renewables not tar sands!” said RAN Toronto activist Crystal Metham.
Hopefully with TarSandra/RBC and Big Oil finally admitting to their long secret romance RBC will no longer be able hide behind the veneer of green washing and begin to take real concrete action on developing REAL sustainability.
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RYSE is the youth branch of RAN, Rainforest Action Network, which works to protect the Earth and support human rights through education, grassroots organizing, and non-violent direct action.
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I agree with the right to protest and agree that we do need to be more aware of how the world as a whole are impacting the environment. However as a family that relies on the oilsands production. Without the job my husband has we would be on the street. Are you going to house my children and feed them? Without gas how would we get to work? The oilsands companies are very aware of the environment and the impact they have. They are taking measures to decrease their impact and hurting the environment. If they are shutdown a good portion on Canada’s econcomy will be affected. What will take its place? Not only will it hurt Canada it would also hurt other countries in the world who rely on our production. Come up with an alternative to keep all these people employed and not hurt the economy any more then maybe I’ll listen.
It is my belief that these Oil companies are in fact operating within the laws and parameters set out by federal and provincial governments. The Banks (All Banks!) finance the TAR sands projects and do so in an ethical and prudent manner. If you are concerned about the TAR sands, lobby GOVERNMENT, your demonstrations are missing the mark here.
Shame on RAN for its one-sided presentation on a complex issue. You neglect to mention that RBC has been named one of the world’s 100 most sustainable companies, is one of the most respected corporate citizens in North America and is also one of Canada’s top ‘green’ employers. I’m proud to be a part of an organization that takes action to both grow in a sustainable fashion through responsible business practices while helping to protect our environment. You conveniently fail to mention any of the great things that RBC does. Did you know that RBC has over 100 branches that purchase 100% green power (see http://www.bullfrogpower.com ) and contributes millions of dollars annually through its Blue Water initiative ( http://www.rbc.com/environment/bluewater/index.html )?
So get back on your diesel burning bus and do some research before you harass organizations that are actually making a positive impact!
Sincerely,
James from Alberta