Morneau acknowledges Alberta’s energy anxieties

Federal Finance Minister Bill Morneau praised approval of the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion in Calgary on Wednesday morning, saying he’s aware of Albertans’ ongoing concerns about the future of the energy industry.

On his 11th visit to Calgary as minister, Morneau spoke to the approval’s benefits to economic growth and the chance it offers to continue Indigenous reconciliation through consultation and participation on the pipeline

When addressing the crowd at a breakfast hosted by the Economic Club of Canada, Morneau noted the long process leading to the approval and the weariness Albertans are still facing.

“We know particular places where economic advantage is challenged, like in Alberta, that people are feeling anxious,” he said. “The question is why is that happening in the face of this long-term advantage.” Morneau added that reassuring the country, and particularly Albertans, is an important part of the process.

“The best way for us to deal with people’s anxiety and skepticism is to get on with our work. We’ve now approved it, the work is starting today, permits are being worked on,” he said, adding the 30-month estimated construction time frame will begin “this construction season.”

When asked about transitioning the pipeline to the private sector, Morneau said that once the project has gotten over “the political impasse,” they can begin to look at sale options.

“Having meaningful economic participation of Indigenous peoples is an important way to respect the impact for people who are actually impacted on the line and help us in our broader reconciliation goals,” he said.

Morneau also touched on the importance of recognizing the role climate change plays in the federal government’s environmental impact assessments.

Part of that is the federal carbon tax, which they announced last week will come into affect in Alberta on Jan. 1, 2020.

“Over the last six years the federal government has written more cheques to people who are impacted by fires and floods than in the previous 40 years combined,” he said. “The challenge is exacerbated in Alberta where when we talk about a shift to a low-carbon future, it equals a real challenge to the sector that’s created so much prosperity,” he said.

“This approval is important and it will allow us to find the transition to a cleaner economy over time. It will allow us not to take a discount for our resources and that increased economic advantage can be the advantage of all Canadians.”