Big Oil Turns Against Canada & Greenland, & The Threat to Newfoundland & Labrador
whatshot 7 snips
Jan 17, 2026
The discussion highlights the troubling influence of Canadian oil interests on national sovereignty and climate policy. Concerns arise over potential U.S. actions in Greenland and Venezuela, driven by big oil's desire for unrestricted access to resources. Alberta's Premier is linked to U.S. annexation plans, while media narratives push for this dangerous agenda. The economic implications of increased Venezuelan oil production are examined, revealing risks for Indigenous communities and undermining environmental progress. A call to action against reduced accountability in environmental oversight adds urgency to the conversation.
06:45
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insights INSIGHT
Corporate Soft Power Threatens Sovereignty
Big oil and gas interests are actively working to undermine Canadian sovereignty by aligning with U.S. corporate power and policy goals.
Conor Curtis warns this corporate soft power can pressure Canada to abandon allies like Greenland and weaken climate action.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Canada's Oil Tycoons Back U.S. Moves
Conor Curtis reads from the newsletter that Canadian oil tycoons helped Trump pursue oil development in Venezuela and may support annexing Greenland.
He notes Alberta Premier Danielle Smith's links to U.S. actors and the Toronto Sun's pro-annexation commentary.
insights INSIGHT
Fossil Reliance Is Short-Term And Costly
Continued reliance on oil and gas gives only short-term gains while climate costs and long-term economic risks grow rapidly.
Conor Curtis argues renewable investments would serve Canadians better than propping up dying fossil business models.
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If Trump invades Greenland we can expect oil and gas interests ‘based in Canada‘ to side with Trump and tell Canada to keep quiet. Oil tycoons in Canada are already apparently happy to help Trump develop oil in Venezuela and thus set the precedent we will help the U.S. violate international law. And will Venezuelans even get democracy out of it? Unlikely, for now Trump is looking to keep the old regime in Venezuela in place under the new leadership of Delcy Rodriguez.
It also turns out “Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is part of a U.S. group whose leader, Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry, has been tasked by the Donald Trump administration with helping to annex Greenland” Desmog writes.
Coincidentally, the big oil-supporting Toronto Sun, whose Ottawa bureau chief recently praised the murder of Renee Good by ICE, just published a piece by Stephen LeDrew supporting Trump’s Greenland annexation goal:
“Canada may soon be cheering Donald Trump on in his stated goal of acquiring Greenland,” it declares.
If we don’t cheer, Trump may take Newfoundland and Labrador instead the Sun’s piece goes on to threaten. As a Newfoundlander myself I can say that threat isn’t going to be received the way the Toronto Sun – a Postmedia publication – thinks.
Big oil and gas are not just seeking to erode Canadian climate policy, they are seeking to aid Trump in Canada’s annexation and to get us to give in and give up allies like Greenland. Because Canada resisting U.S. aggression with our international allies is big oil’s worst nightmare....
Trump’s new 2025 ‘National Security’ Strategy reveals the U.S. plans to use soft power – including private sector influence – to exert influence on other countries like Canada and Greenland. The strategy mentions the oil and gas and tech sectors in particular as tools for expanding U.S. influence and specifically declares climate action in other countries to be a threat to U.S. dominance. This is the U.S. approach to Greenland and is happening in Canada too. What has happened since in Venezuela also mirrors that same approach: The U.S. has replaced Venezuela’s leader (Nicolás Maduro) with a new leader from the same regime (democracy not included) because the new leader, Delcy Rodríguez, is friendly with U.S. oil and gas interests. They built a relationship with her and directly recommended her as a replacement. Obviously Canada and Venezuela are not comparable governments, but the U.S. administration does not view Canada as different. To them we are both countries are to be annexed.
There is a low risk that our PM will be physically kidnapped and replaced by a more capitulant subordinate (for now). But pressure IS being put on our government by oil and gas interests to get it to stop resisting U.S. influence and to stop climate action which would help us become more independent. Oil and gas interests – tied to the U.S. – are framing themselves as acting in Canada’s national interest when they are actually undermining it. The more naive corners of our government have largely bought into that framing...
The Environment in Canada Podcast