Oil sands battle between Canada and EU

Canada is now one of world's energy superpowers.

Over the past two decades, changes in technology and the rising cost of oil have left it with so much recoverable oil in the sands, rocks and clay of the province of Alberta that it is now believed to hold the third largest reserves on earth - after Saudi Arabia and Venezuela.

But most of that is so far un-tapped, with Canada accounting for little over 4% of global oil production in 2010 according to BP's annual statistical review.

To increase that share it must gain global acceptance of the heavy, sticky and, some say, more polluting oil it has found.

For Canada's government, the world has no choice - despite its climatic consequences.

"You can turn off your lights and freeze in the dark, the alternative is to use the energy, which of course you are using, everybody is using," says Joe Oliver, Canada's minister for natural resources.

Read more on the BBC website