‘No public dollars for pipelines’: Calgarians protest against government funding of fossil fuels
Posted Aug 20, 2025 7:00 pm.
The Calgary Climate Hub launched a protest at the Harry Hayes building on Wednesday, saying there should be “No Public Dollars For Pipelines.”
A notice released by the group asks if the Alberta government should continue to give “life support” to fossil fuel industries, including funding for carbon capture and storage.
“It’s time we start to prioritize our communities, our planet, and our future over the short-term interests of a sunsetting fossil fuel industry,” reads the notice. “Our tax dollars are for our people, not for their profits.”
The activists gathered in the early afternoon for a rally that included speeches are expected, and a march to the Pathways Alliance office afterwards.
The provincial government paid over $30 million in fees for oil and gas companies no longer in service in 2024, according to a report from The Narwhal.
It has paid over $140 million on behalf of delinquent oil and gas companies since 2010, while only recouping over $1.4 million in the same time. It recouped over $160,000 in 2024.
In 2023, Canada ended federal subsidies specific to the oil and gas sector. It still pays subsidies to the industry through programs which are also available to companies in other sectors.
Environmental organizations say Canada still spends billions of dollars to support oil and gas companies. A report by Environmental Defence says Canada spent close to $30 billion in 2024 to support the sector.
With files from The Canadian Press
