{"id":47,"date":"2019-09-02T00:56:26","date_gmt":"2019-09-02T00:56:26","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.crudepower.urjschool.ca\/?page_id=47"},"modified":"2019-09-02T15:41:39","modified_gmt":"2019-09-02T15:41:39","slug":"the-price-of-oil","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.crudepower.urjschool.ca\/index.php\/the-price-of-oil\/","title":{"rendered":"The Price of Oil"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n
\n

Investigating the Price of Oil<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The award-winning investigative series The Price of Oil <\/em>is the largest project of its kind in Canadian history, bringing together more than 50 journalists, editors, students and teachers from four journalism schools and three media outlets to examine the hidden costs of Canada\u2019s oil industry, with assistance from the Michener Foundation and in partnership with the Corporate Mapping Project, funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council. The body of work has rolled out in TV stories, print\/online articles and two documentaries, bringingto light hundreds of never-before-seen internal government documents, incident reports, whistleblower accounts and private emails that have raised alarms about government oversight of the oil and gas industry in Saskatchewan and Ontario.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Publications<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Part 1, Saskatchewan<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n

National Observer\u2019s<\/em> trailer<\/a> for the series (Sept. 30, 2017)
Toronto Star<\/em>: \u201cThat rotten stench in the air? It\u2019s the smell of deadly gas and secrecy<\/a>\u201d (Oct. 1, 2017)
Toronto Star<\/em>: \u201c\u2018There\u2019s no sense in speaking up\u2019 despite deadly gas risks<\/a>\u201d (Oct. 1, 2017)
Toronto Star<\/em>: \u201cThe Human Toll of H2S Gas<\/a>\u201d (Oct. 1, 2017)
National Observer<\/em>: \u201cInside Saskatchewan\u2019s failure to stop a silent killer<\/a>\u201d (Oct. 1, 2017)
National Observer<\/em>: \u201cFear and money breed silence in Saskatchewan<\/a>\u201d (Oct. 1, 2017)
Global News: \u201cIs Saskatchewan ignoring the potentially deadly gas from oil wells?<\/a>\u201d (Oct. 1, 2017)
Global News: \u201cPotentially dangerous emissions from oil wells, tanks in Saskatchewan<\/a>\u201d (Oct. 2, 2017
National Observer<\/em>: \u201cWall government dodges questions about dangerous industry failures<\/a>\u201d (Oct. 4, 2017)
Toronto Star: <\/em>\u201cPublic safety is the number one priority, Saskatchewan government says after toxic gas investigation<\/a>\u201d (Oct. 5, 2017)
Global News: \u201cSaskatchewan Energy Minister responds to investigation about potentially deadly gas from oil wells<\/a>\u201d (Oct. 5, 2017)
Global News: \u201cSaskatchewan government dodges questions about potentially dangerous oil industry failures<\/a>\u201d (Oct. 5, 2017)
National Observer<\/em>: \u201cCrude Power: \u2018Oil is king in a province where resistance is small\u2019<\/a>\u201d (Oct. 6, 2017) (The University of Regina held a public screening of this 45-minute student documentary on Oct. 4, which was followed by a panel discussion.)
National Observer<\/em>: \u201cSaskatchewan environment official praises investigation dismissed by energy minister<\/a>\u201d (Nov. 30, 2017)
Toronto Star: <\/em>\u201cToxic gas nearly killed this oil worker. His employer never told the province<\/a>\u201d (video embedded) (Dec. 21, 2017)
Toronto Star: <\/em>\u201c\u2018Like saying cancer is not a disease\u2019: Ottawa considers declaring deadly oilpatch gas non-toxic<\/a>\u201d (Dec. 21, 2017)
Global News: \u201cHe nearly died at an oil well. His employer never reported the accident<\/a>\u201d (Dec. 21, 2017)
National Observer<\/em>: \u201cToxic gas nearly killed this oil worker. His employer never told the province<\/a>\u201d (Dec. 21, 2017)
National Observer<\/em>: \u201cOttawa plans to declare deadly gas is non-toxic<\/a>\u201d (Dec. 21, 2017)
Toronto Star: <\/em>\u201cThis oilpatch town was overcome with a mystery gas. Now its residents are asking, what made us sick?<\/a>\u201d (Jan. 31, 2018)
Global News: \u201cThis oilpatch town was overcome by a mysterious odour. Now its residents are asking, what made us sick?<\/a>\u201d (Jan. 31, 2018)
National Observer<\/em>: \u201cThis oilpatch town was overcome with a mystery gas. Now its residents are asking, what made us sick?<\/a>\u201d (Jan. 31, 2018)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Media coverage by other organizations \/ commentary<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

National Observer<\/em> op-ed: \u201cHey Saskatchewan, let\u2019s talk about the \u2018ugly side\u2019 side of oil<\/a>\u201d (Oct. 1, 2017)
Regina Leader-Post<\/em>: \u201cProvince defending approach to sour gas<\/a>\u201d (Oct. 2, 2017)
World Spectator:<\/em> \u201cHeppner responds to Toronto Star story on H2S<\/a>\u201d (reposting of the government\u2019s statement) (Oct. 2, 2017)
Regina Leader-Post<\/em>: \u201cMandryk: Sour gas wells remind us oil industry enjoys a double standard<\/a>\u201d (Oct. 4, 2017)
Regina Leader-Post<\/em>: \u201cSour gas issue but a part of wider oil industry problem<\/a>\u201d (Oct. 5, 2017)
Briarpatch<\/em>: \u201cTroubling portrait of an oil province<\/a>\u201d (Oct. 5, 2017)
Pipeline News: “<\/a><\/em>We can’t let these things slide, at all”<\/a> (Nov. 8, 2017) 
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Media coverage of the collaboration:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

J-Source<\/em>: \u201cPatti Sonntag spearheads Canadian collaborative journalism investigative project<\/a>\u201d (Oct. 18, 2016)
Toronto Star <\/em>(end of article): \u201cThat rotten stench in the air? It\u2019s the smell of deadly gas and secrecy<\/a>\u201d (Oct. 1, 2017)
National Observer<\/em>: \u201cYour family and friends need to know what\u2019s lurking in those hills. Here\u2019s why I\u2019m asking you to share\u201d<\/a> (Oct. 2, 2017)
National Observer<\/em>: \u201cHow the reporters in an historic Canadian journalism collaboration cornered a silent killer\u201d<\/a>  (Oct. 2, 2017)
CBC News Saskatchewan: \u201cU of R showcases \u2018unprecedented\u2019 investigation into Sask. oil industry<\/a>\u201d (Oct. 4, 2017)
The Hill-Times<\/em>: \u201cNational journalism collaboration shines light on the oil industry<\/a>\u201d (Oct. 4, 2017)
The Conversation<\/em>: \u201cCan new models of public interest journalism survive?<\/a>\u201d (Oct. 20, 2017)
J-Source<\/em>: \u201cStronger together: How journalists can collaborate<\/a>\u201d (Oct. 27, 2017)

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Participating universities\u2019 publications<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

University of Regina: \u201cCrude Power documentary a bonanza for journalism students and investigative reporting<\/a>\u201d  (Oct. 1, 2017)
Concordia University: \u201cWhat happens when 50 reporters and 3 media outlets team up to investigate the price of oil?<\/a>\u201d (Oct. 2, 2017)
University of Regina School of Journalism \u201cThe Price of Oil\u201d project page<\/a> (Oct. 4, 2017)
University of British Columbia: \u201cThe future of journalism lies in collaboration<\/a>\u201d (Oct. 11, 2017)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Part 2, Ontario<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Global News\u2019 trailer<\/a> (One week before publication)
Global News: \u201cCanada\u2019s Toxic Secret\u201d<\/a> (Oct. 14, 2017) (30-minute documentary)
Global News: \u201c\u2018We expected cancer\u2019: Are industrial spills in Canada\u2019s \u2018Chemical Valley\u2019 making people sick?<\/a>\u201d (Oct. 14, 2017)
Toronto Star<\/em>: \u201cIn Sarnia\u2019s Chemical Valley, is \u2018toxic soup\u2019 making people sick?<\/a>\u201d (Oct. 14, 2017)
National Observer<\/em>: \u201cThere are toxic secrets in Canada\u2019s Chemical Valley<\/a>\u201d (Oct. 14, 2017)
Global News: \u201cOntario enviro watchdog, First Nation demand health study after \u2018Chemical Valley\u2019 investigation<\/a>\u201d (Oct. 15, 2017)
Toronto Star<\/em>: \u201cOutrage, calls for health study after Chemical Valley spills investigation<\/a>\u201d (Oct. 15, 2017)
Global News: \u201cSarnia-Lambton MPP says health study would \u2018put to rest\u2019 concerns in Ontario\u2019s \u2018Chemical Valley\u2019<\/a>\u201d (Oct. 15, 2017)
National Observer<\/em>: \u201cOntario enviro watchdog, PCs call for health study after \u2018Chemical Valley\u2019 investigation<\/a>\u201d (Oct. 16, 2017)
Global News: \u201cOntario will fund health impact study on \u2018Chemical Valley\u2019 air pollution<\/a>\u201d (Oct. 16, 2017)
Global News: \u201cOntario government commits to fund health study after \u2018Chemical Valley\u2019 investigation<\/a>\u201d (Oct. 16, 2017)
Toronto Star<\/em>: \u201cProvince to fund health study examining air pollution effects of Sarnia\u2019s Chemical Valley<\/a>\u201d (Oct. 16, 2017)
Toronto Star editorial: \u201cHealth study in Sarnia\u2019s \u2018Chemical Valley\u2019 is long overdue<\/a>\u201d (Oct. 16, 2017)
National Observer<\/em>: \u201cOntario government commits to fund health study after \u2018Chemical Valley\u2019 investigation<\/a>\u201d (Oct. 16, 2017)
Global News: \u201cNDP, Green Party slam feds over ignored health concerns in Sarnia\u2019s Chemical Valley<\/a>\u201d (Oct. 17, 2017)
Global News: \u201cOntario government ignored public safety concerns in \u2018Chemical Valley,\u2019 \u2018muzzled\u2019 engineers: document<\/a>\u201d (Oct. 17, 2017)
Toronto Star<\/em>: \u201cOntario government ignored health warnings from its own engineers about Sarnia\u2019s Chemical Valley, report claims<\/a>\u201d (Oct. 17, 2017)
National Observer<\/em>: \u201cOntario government ignored public safety concerns, \u2018muzzled\u2019 engineers: document<\/a>\u201d (Oct. 17, 2017)
Toronto Star<\/em>: \u201cOntario Liberals face blowback after allegations of ignored warnings in Sarnia\u2019s Chemical Valley<\/a>\u201d (Oct. 18, 2017)
National Observer<\/em>: \u201cMcKenna says federal reforms could target Sarnia following investigation<\/a>\u201d (Oct. 18, 2017)
Global News: \u201cFirst Nation member, EcoJustice demand probe into massive flames at Sarnia\u2019s Imperial Oil plant<\/a>\u201d (Oct. 19, 2017)
Global News: \u201cCellphone video shows extreme flaring at Imperial Oil refinery in Sarnia in Feb. 2017<\/a>\u201d (Oct. 19, 2017)
Toronto Star<\/em>: \u201cSarnia-area First Nation resident asks province to investigate flames at Chemical Valley plant<\/a>\u201d (Oct. 19, 2017)
Global News: \u201cEnvironmental health study called for area near Sarnia, Ont.: Health Minister<\/a>\u201d (Oct. 20, 2017)
Global News: \u201cOntario enviro watchdog slams province for \u2018outrageous\u2019 pollution in Indigenous communities<\/a>\u201d (Oct. 24, 2017)
Toronto Star<\/em>: \u201cEnviro watchdog blasts province for inaction on \u2018outrageous\u2019 pollution in Indigenous communities<\/a>\u201d (Oct. 24, 2017)
Canadian Press, published in National Observer<\/em>: \u201cOntario must do more to address \u2018outrageous\u2019 pollution in Indigenous communities: Watchdog<\/a>\u201d (Oct. 24, 2017)
Toronto Star<\/em>: \u201cProvince proposes new air pollution standards for sulphur dioxide<\/a>\u201d (Oct. 27, 2017)
Toronto Star<\/em>: \u201cSarnia-area plant evacuated after chemical leak<\/a>\u201d (Nov. 8, 2017)
National Observer<\/em>: \u201cSarnia plant evacuated following toxic leak<\/a>\u201d (Nov. 8, 2017)
Toronto Star<\/em>: \u201cOntario\u2019s environment ministry investigating Sarnia-area plant after possible leak<\/a>\u201d (Nov. 9, 2017)
National Observer<\/em>: \u201cOntario investigates after Sarnia plant evacuated over possible leak<\/a>\u201d (Nov. 9, 2017)
Global News: \u201c\u2018We don\u2019t have to go begging anymore,\u2019 Sarnia councillor says as health study moves forward<\/a>\u201d (Nov. 29, 2017)
Global News: \u201cOntario government announces $100M grant to company it\u2019s investigating<\/a>\u201d (Dec. 8, 2017)
Toronto Star<\/em>: \u201cProvince giving $100M grant to chemical company under investigation over leak<\/a>\u201d (Dec. 8, 2017)
Toronto Star<\/em>: \u201cProvince launches investigation into flames at Sarnia chemical plant<\/a>\u201d (Jan. 11, 2018)
National Observer<\/em>: \u201cProvince launches investigation into flames at Sarnia chemical plant<\/a>\u201d (Jan. 11, 2018)
Toronto Star: \u201c<\/em>Chemical Valley\u2019s public air monitoring website misleading, say critics\u201d<\/a> (February 23, 2018)
National Observer: <\/em>\u201cChemical Valley\u2019s public air monitoring website \u201cmisleading,\u201d say critics<\/a>\u201d (February 23, 2018)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Part 3, National
<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Global News: \u201cPollution from Canadian refineries an \u2018embarrassment\u2019 compared with U.S.<\/a>\u201d (May 2, 2018)
Toronto Star: <\/em>\u201cPollution from Canadian refineries an \u2018embarrassment\u2019 compared with U.S.\u201d<\/a> (May 2, 2018)
National Observer: <\/em>\u201cPollution from Canadian refineries an \u2018embarrassment\u2019 compared to U.S.\u201d<\/a> (May 2, 2018)
National Observer: \u201c<\/em>Canada\u2019s toxic refinery emissions \u2018wake-up call\u2019 to MPs\u201d<\/a> (May 3, 2018)
Global News: \u201cMPs say investigation into toxic refinery emissions is a \u2018wake-up call\u2019<\/a>\u201d (May 3, 2018)
Toronto Star<\/em>: \u201cAir and water quality reforms needed to curb toxic emissions, opposition parties say<\/a>\u201d (May 3, 2018)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Awards<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n

New York Festivals: Silver World Medal \u2014 Best Investigative Report<\/a>
The Sidney Hillman Foundation: 2018 Canadian Hillman Prize \u2014 Honourable Mention<\/a>
Radio Television Digital News Association Canada nomination: Investigative \u2014 Dan McArthur Award<\/a>
Canadian Journalism Foundation nomination: Jackman Award for Excellence<\/a>
Investigative Reporters and Editors: 2017 IRE Medals \u2014 Student \u2014 Large<\/a>
Emerge Media Awards: 2018 Winners \u2014 Videography<\/a>
Yorkton Film Festival nominations: Research; Student Production<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Media discussion of awards \/ commentary<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Global News: \u201cGlobal News investigation \u2018Canada\u2019s Toxic Secret\u2019 named a finalist for New York Festivals Award<\/a>\u201d (February 9, 2018)
Concordia University \u201c\u2019One of Canada\u2019s top journalism awards\u2019 \u2014 national acclaim for Concordia investigative project The Price of Oil\u201d<\/a> (March 20, 2018)
National Observer: <\/em>\u201cNational Observer, Toronto Star and Global News to be honoured by Hillman Foundation\u201d<\/a> (March 20, 2018)
National Observer: <\/em>\u201cUniversity of Regina students win videography award for \u2018Crude Power\u2019 documentary in Price of Oil series\u201d<\/a> (March 23, 2018)
University of Regina School of Journalism \u201cStudent Investigation Receives International Honour\u201d<\/a> (April 2, 2018)
Global News: \u201cGlobal News wins international award for investigation into Ontario\u2019s \u2018Chemical Valley\u2019\u201d<\/a> (April 11, 2018)
National Observer<\/em>: \u201cNational Observer and partners short-listed for CJF Jackman Award for Excellence in Journalism\u201d<\/a> (April 19, 2018)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n

The unprecedented collaboration behind the project<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Over nine months, an unprecedented collaboration of more than 50 journalists and editors from three Canadian media outlets, four journalism schools and a think tank worked to chronicle the hidden price of oil in Canada.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Collectively, reporters examined thousands of industry and government documents, analyzed terabytes of data and delved into dozens of freedom-of-information requests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe project started with the people,\u201d says Patti Sonntag, a managing editor in the New York Times\u2019 news services division, who launched the project with a grant from the Michener Awards Foundation. Following a tip from a colleague at the Corporate Mapping Project, she did some research and reporting in Saskatchewan last fall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Working with the previous year\u2019s Michener winner, Toronto Star journalist Robert Cribb, Sonntag created a team of students at the Ryerson, Concordia and UBC journalism schools. Concordia University\u2019s Department of Journalism volunteered to act as host and headquarters for the project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

University of Regina students reported on the ground locally, shot video and developed sources, while students at the other universities aggregated and analyzed data and interviewed experts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe\u2019re pulling these four different schools from across the country and looking at it from all different aspects,\u201d says Janelle Blakley, a University of Regina student reporter whose team mapped spills data and met local farmers and residents. \u201cThis collaboration allowed us to really dig into it, where all schools were pulling apart different pieces of it and then coming back and putting it all together.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The significance of the data quickly drew intrigue. What emerged was a picture of a few dedicated regulators \u2014 and even some industry leaders \u2014 who tried to introduce greater accountability, but these efforts were ultimately overwhelmed by larger forces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYou start to understand these figures really do play a huge role in dictating the direction of the Canadian economy and that plays out in the lives of everyday Canadians,\u201d says Lauren Kaljur, a graduate of UBC\u2019s master of journalism program who has been investigating the concentration of corporate power in Saskatchewan\u2019s oil and gas industry since the beginning of 2017.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To Matthew Gilmour, a recent journalism graduate at Concordia University, after spending months populating spreadsheets and ledgers, \u201cthere\u2019s the human moment where you realize it\u2019s not just a pocketbook story. It\u2019s a human story. And people\u2019s lives are affected.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The work continued past the end of the semester in April 2017, with students working alongside veteran reporters at the Star, the National Observer and Global News to shape the stories, seek comments from all sides and publish hundreds of pages of government and industry records, detailing concerns about potentially deadly gas emissions for the first time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Writers\/Reporters:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Robert Cribb, The Toronto Star<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Patti Sonntag, Michener Fellow<\/p>\n\n\n\n

P.W. Elliott, University of Regina<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elizabeth McSheffrey, The National Observer<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Data and documentation journalist:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Michael Wrobel, Concordia University<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Researchers:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jennifer Ackerman, University of Regina<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Madina Azizi, University of Regina<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Janelle Blakley, University of Regina<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cory Coleman, University of Regina<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mike De Souza, The National Observer<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Josh Diaz, University of Regina<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Brenna Engel, University of Regina<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Matthew Gilmour, Concordia University<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Celine Grimard, University of Regina<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jared Gottselig, University of Regina<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lauren Kaljur ,University of British Columbia<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rebbeca Marroquin, University of Regina<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Matthew Parizot, Concordia University<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Katie Doke Sawatzky, University of Regina<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Michaela Solomon, University of Regina<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kyrsten Stringer, University of Regina<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Caitlin Taylor, University of Regina<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Steph Wechsler, Ryerson University<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Faculty Supervisors:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

P.W. Elliott, University of Regina<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trevor Grant, University of Regina<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Robin Lawless, University of Regina<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Series Producer:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Patti Sonntag, Michener Fellow, based at Concordia University<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Institutional Credits:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Concordia University, Department of Journalism<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ryerson University, School of Journalism<\/p>\n\n\n\n

University of British Columbia, Graduate School of Journalism<\/p>\n\n\n\n

University of Regina, School of Journalism<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Global News<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Michener Awards Foundation<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Corporate Mapping Project<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Parkland Institute<\/p>\n\n\n\n

University of Victoria<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council
<\/p>\n\n\n\n


Televised investigation<\/strong>: Oct 1 & 2, 2017 on \n\n