Trudeau’s summit solves nothing

For those who follow Canadian politics closely, all eyes were focused on Ottawa last Sunday for a summit meeting hosted by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau with Alberta and BC NDP premiers Rachel Notley and John Horgan.

The topic of the meeting was the growing dispute between Ottawa, British Columbia and Alberta over construction of Trans Mountain pipeline.

The media headlines that followed this meeting were candid: “Trudeau has failed to resolve pipeline crises” and more recently, “Kinder Morgan project a test of Trudeau’s competency, puts his 18 B.C. seats at risk, say pollsters.”

While this is occurring, Trudeau has remained Àrm in his statement that the Trans Mountain pipeline will be built.

From my time on the government side of the House, it is my opinion that media headlines are not always fair to elected ofÀcials.

The expectation that Trudeau could resolve this pipeline standoff in a single meeting was overly optimistic and moreso when you consider both provincial NDP premiers politically beneÀt from their respective positions.

From a political perspective, the real challenge for the prime minister, who is in a situation of his own making, is whatever actions he ultimately makes will come at a steep political cost†to the Liberals.

The prime minister is well aware of this fact, and rather than take any decisive action, he has suggested he may ultimately work with the project proponent, Kinder Morgan, to mitigate investor risk in the Trans Mountain project.

Although no formal announcement has been made, I am already hearing strong opposition from some Canadians at the thought of throwing, and I will quote directly, “public money into the coffers of an oil giant.”

Meanwhile, Alberta continues to move forward a bill in their provincial legislature that could limit the supply of Alberta oil to British Columbia. It’s a move that the premier of Saskatchewan says he supports.

In B.C., the NDP government has called Alberta’s threat a “bluff” and remains committed that they will not change their position.

What happens next.At this point, it is all speculation. I will provide a factual update when more information is available.

I can be reached at Dan.Albas@parl.gc.ca or call toll free at 1-800-665-8711.