Re: Our NEP déjà vu, Brad Wall, Nov. 22

In his column, former Saskatchewan premier Brad Wall made the unfortunate decision to respond to Canada’s market-access issues by calling into question Canadian unity.

As an Albertan, I am frustrated to see our oil resources sold at a discount price. I see firsthand the challenges this discount is causing in my community. This is a problem that has lasted for more than a decade, dating back to the Harper years. It must be addressed and our government has made this an urgent priority.

We are seeing progress. Refining capacity is set to come back online, alleviating capacity issues in the short term. In the medium term, the Line 3 replacement project is set to add 370,000 barrels per day of pipeline capacity in late 2019.

Of course, we also need to gain access to new, non-u.s. markets for our resources. But as we have seen over the past decade, rushing the process is not the answer. Conservatives also want greater market access but they are actively opposing legislation that will allow good projects to get built.

Bill C-69 will ensure that project assessments are done right the first time. It removes the power of government to stop the clock on a project without reason and eliminate wasteful duplication. These changes are good for the energy industry.

Our government is always open to constructive suggestions to improve Canada’s approach to project reviews, however, Conservatives must decide whether they are interested in fixing Canada’s failed system. We will continue to work hard to deliver solutions for Canadians.

Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Natural Resources and Member of Parliament for Edmonton-mill Woods

I am not aware if the St. Lawrence Seaway would be able to accommodate oil tankers, but if so, maybe Ontario might be more amenable than Quebec to a loading point in an eastern Ontario port? Quebec on the other hand, under new management, might go for a “business partnership”( and a share of profits) in a pipeline to a port upriver from Montreal? Who knows?

Vic Leblanc, Rigaud, Que. I believe Bombardier should be allowed to bid and build all Canadian pipelines. With Quebec’s involvement, and all those jobs being created, plus obvious political and monetary support from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, approval would be in weeks — not years.

Rod Archibald, Port Moody, B.C.

JOHN WOODS / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES Minister of Natural Resources Amarjeet Sohi says the federal government’s Bill C-69 will ensure energy project assessments are done right the first time.