Politicians heckled at pro-oil sector rally
CALGARY • What was meant to be a unified show of support for the energy industry at a rally outside Calgary city hall Monday turned contentious with one councillor abruptly ending his speech midway through and the mayor sometimes booed.
The pro-pipeline event, supported by all 14 Calgary councillors in addition to Mayor Naheed Nenshi, was organized by Canada Action, a movement that supports the natural resources sector. Thousands turned out at Municipal Plaza over the lunch hour, chanting “build our future” as the rally got underway.
But some members of council were heckled as they stood at the podium to declare their solidarity with those in the struggling oil and gas sector, including Coun. Peter Demong.
“This is not a time to be talking about boycotts or trade embargoes. We want to encourage trade, not restrict it,” Demong said, describing Alberta oil as “one of most ethical sources of energy on planet.
“We need to be spreading the word about how this industry is a world leader in gender equality. We should be talking about how to support Quebec’s dairy industry by buying Canadian cheese. We should be talking about supporting Ontar ...” he said, stopping to address jeers from the crowd.
“Wow. Really? And you guys call yourselves Canadians? Wow,” said Demong, before stepping away from the podium.
Nenshi, who immediately took over, faced a mix of cheers and discontent.
“I believe strongly that what we do here in this place is right for this community, it’s right for the province, it’s right for the country and it’s right for the world,” he said.
“But our job is to continue to change minds one at a time. It’s important for us to remember that standing up for Canadian energy is not a partisan issue.”
Nenshi said it’s also important to note that “standing up for Canadian energy doesn’t mean we don’t believe in and care about climate change,” a point met with some booing.
“Well, for those of you who are saying ‘No, I don’t believe in climate change,’ good luck changing hearts and minds because we have to be able to say that there is no difference between standing up for the economy and standing up for the environment,” he said, as jeering turned to applause.
“We can do both and that’s what people in the oil and gas sector do every single day.”
Later booed again as he began delivering remarks in French, the mayor had a message for the crowd.
“Let me give you a little bit of advice,” he said, switching back to English. “If you want someone to listen to you, you have to speak their language.”
Frustrated attendees, holding pro-energy signs with messages ranging from “I (heart) oil & gas” to “Quebec hypocrisy” said feelings of Alberta separatism are as prominent as they can recall.
They said Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the federal government are to blame for the predicament in which Alberta finds itself.
“They won’t get my vote next time,” said Pat Fryers, who added that Premier Rachel Notley has been a “great spokesperson for us.”
Fryers said her son, a geologist, is unemployed due to the state of the economy.
Alberta Energy Minister Margaret McCuaig-Boyd dismissed the notion that divisiveness and even separatism would in any way help Alberta’s energy sector.
“I think we’re always better together to work. I’m a proud Canadian. Despite the frustration I feel about how we’re being treated in Alberta, I’m still a proud Canadian … When we’re divisive, we’re not going to get anywhere,” she said.