Close X
Tuesday, November 5, 2024
ADVT 
National

Jason Kenney Threatens To Limit Flow Of Oil To B.C., And Put Toll On Natural Gas

The Canadian Press, 06 Mar, 2018 12:36 PM
  • Jason Kenney Threatens To Limit Flow Of Oil To B.C., And Put Toll On Natural Gas
VANCOUVER — Jason Kenney, Alberta's Opposition leader and candidate for premier, says his government would ensure "serious consequences" for British Columbia if it blocks the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion.
 
Kenney said Monday he would be prepared to stop permits for the shipment of Alberta oil to B.C. through the existing Trans Mountain line, which pumps 300,000 barrels a day of oil, gasoline and other petroleum products to Metro Vancouver.
 
"If British Columbia is unwilling to help us export Canadian energy, then I would ask: Why should the NDP government benefit from shipments from Alberta?" he asked during a media availability in Vancouver.
 
"People are already paying $1.50 a litre for their gas here. Thousands of British Columbia drivers are going down to Bellingham and Washington state to fill up their gas tanks. That situation, unfortunately, would get a whole lot worse without Alberta oil."
 
The United Conservative Party leader acknowledged that some oil companies in Alberta oppose the idea, but he said the province has to use the tools at its disposal to pressure B.C. Premier John Horgan's NDP government to "come to its senses."
 
"I don't suggest this as a beginning measure. This would be a last resort," he said in an interview later Monday.
 
Asked about the economic impacts to his province of turning off the taps to B.C., Kenney said he wasn't necessarily talking about a permanent measure. He added he's optimistic the Keystone XL pipeline will be built and provide a new outlet for Alberta oil.
 
U.S. President Donald Trump announced his approval of the TransCanada Corp. project last year.
 
 
Kenney also said he would consider slapping a toll on B.C.'s natural gas shipments through Alberta.
 
He said some Calgary-based companies that develop natural gas would not be happy with a toll, but added the job of an Alberta premier is to defend the province's economic future.
 
"I don't want a trade war. Albertans want free trade. But if the NDP in Victoria breaks the law, and blocks the export of our major product, we have to respond," he said.
 
He compared his stance to that of former Alberta premier Peter Lougheed, who in the early 1980s cut his province's oil production to punish Eastern Canada over the federal government's unpopular National Energy Program.
 
Alberta Premier Rachel Notley banned B.C. wines in response to the province's proposal to limit diluted bitumen shipments. But she lifted the ban after Horgan said he would ask the courts to decide whether it can bring in the restrictions.
 
Kenney said his party stands a good chance of forming a government in an election next year.
 
"My message to John Horgan is: I may very well be sitting across the table from you in 14 months. And if you're unable to come to an understanding with your fellow New Democrat Rachel Notley, just wait until you're sitting across the table from me."
 
Kenney also clarified his stance on supervised drug consumption sites, saying he respects the Supreme Court of Canada's decision that governments are obligated to license such facilities.
 
He said he's not oppose to licensing facilities that "try to reduce harm," but there needs to be more consultation with local communities and greater emphasis on stopping the drugs from entering Canada.
 
"My concern is that the focus has become almost single-mindedly on harm reduction, which I do not think is an adequate solution to the problem," he said.
 
In Edmonton, Notley met Monday with the members of her task force charged with coming up with strategies should B.C. or another jurisdiction take illegal or unwarranted actions against the oil industry.
 
Notley reiterated Alberta is keeping a close eye on Horgan's government and won't hesitate to bring back the wine boycott or take other more punitive measures if B.C. "starts playing more games."
 
Alberta officials will head to Ottawa this week to work with their federal counterparts on ways to get the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion moving, she said. The province will also intervene in Burnaby's appeal of a National Energy Board ruling on permits.
 
She said if B.C. gets court approval to dictate what goes into pipelines, "B.C. would trigger an internal Canadian trade war that would make what's going on with the United States today look like a tea party."

MORE National ARTICLES

Police In Lower Mainland Issue A Warning About Disturbing Phone Calls To Women

Police In Lower Mainland Issue A Warning About Disturbing Phone Calls To Women
RCMP say a male caller accurately identifies the woman's name and address and claims he has been watching her through cameras allegedly installed inside her home.

Police In Lower Mainland Issue A Warning About Disturbing Phone Calls To Women

Police Department Creates Zone For Safer Online Sales In Abbotsford, B.C.

Sgt. Judy Bird knows first-hand about the "sketchy" feeling that can come with buying or selling items on platforms like Craigslist, Kijiji or Facebook.

Police Department Creates Zone For Safer Online Sales In Abbotsford, B.C.

Surrey Man Surgit Singh Bachra Arrested On Child Pornography Charges In Ontario

Surrey Man Surgit Singh Bachra Arrested On Child Pornography Charges In Ontario
48-yr-old Surrey man Surgit Singh Bachra faces a pair of charges after allegedly being caught trying to cross the border with child pornography.

Surrey Man Surgit Singh Bachra Arrested On Child Pornography Charges In Ontario

Justin Trudeau Backs Conspiracy Theory Over Jaspal Atwal's Invite, India Denies Allegations

Justin Trudeau Backs Conspiracy Theory Over Jaspal Atwal's Invite, India Denies Allegations
India's Ministry of External Affairs issued a statement Wednesday saying the Indian government had no role in an incident in which an attempted murderer was invited to a pair of events Prime Minister Justin Trudeau attended during his visit to India last week.

Justin Trudeau Backs Conspiracy Theory Over Jaspal Atwal's Invite, India Denies Allegations

Jaspal Atwal Says Politicians From Different Parties Call Him Seeking Help

Jaspal Atwal Says Politicians From Different Parties Call Him Seeking Help
Jaspal Atwal said he has asked his social network in Surrey, B.C., to vote for different politicians because he supports what they are trying to achieve in his community.

Jaspal Atwal Says Politicians From Different Parties Call Him Seeking Help

Liberal MP Randeep Singh Sarai Stepping Down From The Pacific Caucus Chair

Liberal MP Randeep Singh Sarai Stepping Down From The Pacific Caucus Chair
In his announcement on social media, Sarai apologized for his role in recent events involving Surrey businessman Jaspal Atwal and vowed to exercising better judgment in future.

Liberal MP Randeep Singh Sarai Stepping Down From The Pacific Caucus Chair