In its project application, Teck said the mine would generate $54 billion in royalties and taxes, $11.8 billion in federal corporate taxes, and $68 million in local property taxes, while supporting 2,500 permanent jobs, Sanzillo and Hipple note. It was to produce 260,000 barrels of oil per day, topping out at 3.2 billion barrels over a 41-year project life.

But “the supposed benefits of the project were based on revenues supported by oil prices of $95 per barrel or greater,” they add. “Current trends of fossil fuels under-performing and glutting markets are expected to continue, as fracking and renewables provide steady competition.”

In mid-December, veteran climate campaigner Tzeporah Berman said the federal cabinet’s decision this year to approve or disallow the Teck mine will test the newly-elected government’s commitment to the net-zero carbon target it has promised.