“For us to maintain our way of living, we must tell lies to each other. Without these lies, deplorable acts would become impossibilities." These words from population ecologist Dr. William Rees introduce “Crude Sacrifice”, a film that takes an in-depth look at how one northern Alberta community is affected by the exploitation of Canada's rich Tar Sands development, and how Canada and the province of Alberta is dealing with their concerns. The health of the land, wild life, water and the people living near the largest construction project is discussed in-depth by world leading scientists, and people directly involved in the development. The film interviews many of the community leaders to examine how this project has affected the way of life of aboriginal people living in the community of Fort Chipewyan. Although this town is located near the earth's second largest freshwater delta, they can no longer drink the water, or eat the fish and other game which have sustained them for thousands of years. The film also examines the high cancer rates first raised by the community's doctor, John O'Connor, which have been found to be 30 percent higher than expected. This feature length documentary film takes the audience beyond the price of oil, greenhouse gases and the environment, straight to the most important issue that concerns and affects all of us, “the state of our democracy”.