Unlike Notley, Wall won’t accept pipeline veto
Saskatchewan premier won’t accept Central Canada veto on oil pipelines
Brad Wall is already campaigning for another term as premier of Saskatchewan. And maybe Alberta too, just as a sideline.
Wall argued sharply on Wednesday that other provinces cannot veto pipelines — or approve them — based on their opinion of climate change policies in Alberta or Saskatchewan.
He didn’t mention Premier Rachel Notley, who implied Tuesday that Quebec approval of Alberta’s upcoming climate policy could green- light the $ 12- billion Energy East oil pipeline to Saint John, N. B.
But he was clearly jumping off her meeting with Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard, after which Notley said: “And so, what I heard from him is that, you know, if we’re able to move forward on that ( climate change and environment) in a meaningful and convincing way, there’s more likelihood of Quebec coming to terms with it.”
Landing one of his trademark zingers, Wall said: “Maybe we need to have equalization payments start flowing through a pipeline in order to finally get one approved through Central Canada.”
“I do not think any province in Canada should be holding up approvals of a pipeline ...
“I don’t think they should be able to hold it up by saying, ‘ We don’t think your environmental policies are stringent enough,’ or ‘ Maybe we don’t like the way you price carbon,’ whatever it may happen to be. I think that’s of great concern.”
“The people of Alberta and the people of Saskatchewan should not have to face these sorts of conditions.
“I think there’s a growing sense of frustration here because our economies in the West have been contributing significant opportunities for all Canadians.
“I don’t think this kind of talk is welcome, frankly, and I’ll be raising it when we’re down there ( at the Council of the Federation meeting in St. John’s), maybe in a private way with various premiers, maybe at the table.”
Then he left for the meeting in Newfoundland, where all the premiers will gather to discuss many issues, including the Canadian Energy Strategy.
Wall stressed that he wasn’t sure other provinces are forcing the linkage between pipelines and the policies of oil- producing provinces.
But all the players know provinces are already setting their own terms for pipeline approvals through their territory, even though such decisions are a federal responsibility.
If Wall wasn’t convinced of that, he’d hardly be sounding off so powerfully.
“I can tell you I categorically reject that as a sort of principle of Confederation ... some sort of licence of Confederation to build a pipeline,” he added.
“How about $ 10 billion in equalization? That’s a pretty good licence. How about massive jobs being created here for all Canadians? That’s also a pretty good licence.”
Notley takes a much softer line, hoping for co- operation and approval from both Quebec and Ontario.
She wants to show that Alberta will be more aggressive about climate change and the environment. Most Albertans would applaud that.
The problem is that allowing other provinces to judge the policy, as a condition of pipeline support, hands a veto to those provinces, accepts interference with provincial law- making power, and even trumps a federal responsibility.
This trend could prompt a national unity crisis to rival the National Energy Program of 1980.
And the underlying dynamic is much the same — Central Canada striving to control a mainly western industry.
On the local level, Wall’s outrage will delight Alberta’s energy industry. And Saskatchewan’s pitch, now that Notley is about to review royalty rates, is: “Come on over — Brad’s on your side.”
Wall will also face the Saskatchewan NDP in the upcoming election. After Notley’s May 5 triumph here, there must be a certain angst.
So he’s taking a clear stand of the kind Alberta’s PC government seemed incapable of articulating. That’s one reason they’re out, and he’s the most popular premier in Canada.
As for Notley, we can only hope there’s some steel in that velvet glove. She’ll need it someday soon.
Maybe we need to have equalization payments start flowing through a pipeline in order to finally get one approved through Central Canada. Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall