Kenney wants legislature recalled over pipeline battle
Opposition leader Jason Kenney wants Alberta’s Legislative Assembly to reconvene as early as Monday for an emergency debate on the ongoing Trans Mountain pipeline battle with B.C.
In a letter sent Friday to Premier Rachel Notley, Kenney gave props to the premier for a boycott on B.C. wines, but urged her to consider an all-party debate calling for urgent federal action. Kenney thinks Alberta needs to pursue “far more serious consequences” for B.C.
“I believe that the ongoing attacks on our economic interests constitute an urgent matter that requires the greatest possible degree of unity amongst Alberta political leaders, regardless of partisan affiliation,” he stated.
There doesn’t seem to be much appetite for Kenney’s proposal in the premier’s office.
The premier’s spokeswoman, Cheryl Oates, said the legislature wouldn’t be recalled Monday, particularly because all parties agree on the need for urgent action.
The province will instead focus its retaliation efforts through a task force, which was announced by Notley on Friday.
The task force will work closely with business, labour and community leaders and provide Notley and her cabinet with advice.
Its members will include former New Brunswick premier Frank McKenna, former deputy prime minister Anne McLellan, former Syncrude Canada president Jim Carter and noted legal scholar Peter Hogg.
In a statement, Notley said the pipeline issue isn’t B.C. picking a fight with Alberta so much as that province is trying to usurp the authority of the federal government and undermine the basis of Confederation.
“Ottawa needs to say clearly and unequivocally that B.C.’s actions won’t stand,” she said.
“Sadly, B.C. decided to pick this fight with the country. No one wants it and it could end tomorrow, but as long as B.C. continues, Alberta will fight for jobs in Alberta and speak up for a Canada that works.”
The premier unveiled the initiative on a tour of a steel plant in south Calgary that makes steel tubing for oil and gas wells.
“We’re going to keep this fight going until this pipeline gets built,” she vowed.