A CASE FOR PIPELINES
AWildrose motion calling on the federal government to build more pipelines and “end our dependence on foreign dictator oil” passed Monday in the legislature. In fact, the motion passed unanimously — proof that all Alberta politicians understand it doesn’t make sense to send our oil south to the United States, while Eastern Canada is dependent on imported stocks from such countries as Saudi Arabia, Algeria and Nigeria.
The United States supplied about half of the 759,000 barrels of oil that were imported every day in 2016. It begs the question: why should Canadians be bringing in oil when we have what’s regarded as the world’s third-largest supply? The practice is particularly galling when one considers our heavy oil sells at a discount to the Americans, while U.S. light oil is imported at a premium.
The problem is Canada has insufficient pipeline capacity to get its product to customers. The Wildrose motion calls for a renewed push for the Energy East pipeline that will carry Alberta oil to refineries in Eastern Canada. The pipeline will transport 1.1 million barrels of oil per day and create more than 14,000 direct and indirect full-time jobs across Canada during development and construction alone.
“It’s time for Canada to assert itself as the energy superpower it should be and begin the move toward energy independence,” Wildrose economic development critic Prasad Panda, who introduced the motion, told a news conference at the legislature.
The Wildrose Party wants the federal government to speed up the Energy East review process, and it has complained of “hurdles and red tape.”
The hearings were stalled last fall after NEB representatives were accused of a conflict of interest. A new panel was appointed in January, but hearing dates have yet to be released.
It’s to be hoped the federal government listens to the pleas of Alberta politicians. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau can’t rubber stamp Energy East — the project needs a proper vetting — but he and his cabinet can ensure the process proceeds in the fairest and most expedient fashion possible.
The federal Liberals must also do a better job of standing up for the oilsands, informing Canadians in other parts of the country about the blessing the resource is. The extraction of oil provides employment and valuable tax revenues from coast to coast.
If oilsands operators are permitted, they will move Canada closer to energy self-sufficient — a feat any nation should pursue with vigour.
Let’s hope there’s a growing awareness about the desire to wean Canada off foreign oil.