THE PEMBINA INSTITUTE: BALANCING ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY WITH OIL SANDS DEVELOPMENT IN AN INDUSTRY-ORIENTED ECONOMY.

The oil sands in northern Alberta are receiving global attention, yet literature discussing the work of environmental non-governmental organizations (ENGOs) in the province is sparse. This paper analyzes an ENGO, the Pembina Institute, and its roles and responsibilities concerning oil sands development in northern Alberta. Although interest groups involved with oil sands development represent a variety of stakeholders, civil society has had minimal involvement in the policymaking process. This is examined in relation to the Pembina Institute's function to engage civil society. Most importantly, the relevance of the Pembina Institute in influencing the environmental policymaking process in Alberta is discussed in its various approaches to engaging the Government of Alberta, industry and civil society. This paper investigates the work of the Pembina Institute and how the organization is vital to informing Albertan civil society, which seems to be disconnected from a megaproject with long-term implications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]