Wall must reflect on strong words

Premier Brad Wall has been a trenchant critic of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and has often expressed his opposition to Liberal policies using strong and at times undiplomatic language.

As reported in the StarPhoenix, “Premier: national unity under threat” (SP, Oct. 12), the premier took the extreme view that cancellation of the Energy East pipeline is an affront to Western Canada and could threaten national unity.

He put the blame for the demise of the pipeline squarely on Trudeau who has imposed unreasonable conditions for approval which has handcuffed the pipeline company forcing it to scuttle the project.

In this reported interview Wall also mentioned that he was following the late Peter Lougheed who also used strong, hyperbolic language in showing his displeasure at the energy policies of the then prime minister, Pierre Trudeau. However, in an interview several years after he left politics, and maybe a bit more wise, Lougheed conceded that he regretted his confrontational style and should have tempered his language for the greater good of the country. It was late for Lougheed to realize that blatant partisanship is a zero sum game in public life, and compromise and understanding will ensure better results.

Maybe here is something for the premier to reflect on as he says adieu to active public life.

Joe Jeerakathil, Saskatoon