Saskatchewan introduces law to allow control of oil, gas exports

The Saskatchewan government has introduced legislation that would allow the province to control its oil and gas exports, similar to a bill recently tabled in Alberta.

Once passed, the law would establish a permitting process for people or corporations looking to export energy products.

Energy Minister Bronwyn Eyre said the lone difference is that Saskatchewan has a sunset clause in place until Jan. 31, 2019.

“There is a penalty system in place and again, it’s identical to the Alberta legislation,” Eyre said.

“This is really about export permits for truck and for track, anything that would in our case, Saskatchewan’s case, be transporting natural gas, oil, refined products, would be subject to the export permits legislation.”

The proposal does not mention British Columbia specifically, but Saskatchewan has said it is supporting Alberta in a dispute with B.C. over the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion.

The expansion of the pipeline to the West Coast has been approved by the federal government, but B.C. is fighting it in the courts.

Eyre said $2.6 billion has been lost from the sector in the province, along with $200 million in royalties.

She acknowledged that there are issues with the bill and current trade agreements, but that Saskatchewan needs to defend its rights.