Marcel Coutu responds to October 16, 2009 Globe & Mail Article:

The article titled "Allow oil sands emissions to increase, CEO urges" published by the Globe and Mail on October 16, 2009 unfairly represents the discussion I had with the Globe's editorial board. I have requested that the Globe give me the opportunity to set the record straight, but in the interim, here are some observations:

I was in Ontario to meet with Canadians, and discuss their impressions of the oil sands industry and our contributions to the Canadian economy. In engaging in these conversations, I was as interested in listening as speaking.

My message is that we recognize Canada's highest environmental challenge is Greenhouse Gas emissions. We know that oil sands operations contribute to emissions, and we know we have a responsibility to reduce emissions. We are focused on reducing Greenhouse Gas emissions by improving the energy efficiency of our operations. Innovations, such as low energy extraction, have enabled us to make real reductions, and we continue to invest in new ways to further improve environmental performance in all areas -- air, water and land.

As a nation, we need to take a comprehensive approach to GHG emissions and climate change, one that balances the challenges of both energy production and consumption, and that doesn?t focus on any one sector or geographic area to achieve solutions. I believe that our industry should be treated exactly as other industries are treated, and not given either preferential or detrimental treatment in any legislation.

With Canada's supply of oil from conventional sources dwindling and alternate technologies still unable to fill the need, Canadians will look to the oil sands to produce the energy required for our quality of life. As we continue to capture the tremendous potential of Canada's oil sands, absolute GHGs from this sector will likely increase as production grows. However, we, along with our industry peers, remain focused on improving GHG intensity levels and implementing technological solutions to realize those reductions.

I believe all of us, as consumers, have a role to play in thinking about the energy and products we use every day, and how we can reduce our own carbon consumption. That's not playing down the producers' role, but rather looking at the whole picture. I believe that is the picture Canadians want to view, not the finger-pointing suggested by this article.

Thankfully, Canada's oil sands represent a very large energy source, providing a secure supply for Canadians for many generations. I am proud of the role my company, my industry colleagues, and the many oil sands workers and suppliers across Canada are playing in making this a reality.

To find out more of what I said during my time in Ontario, please visit www.OilSandsNow.ca.

Marcel Coutu, CEO

Canadian Oil Sands Trust