Sask. to support Alberta’s Bill C-69 challenge
SASKATOON Calling it “absolutely imperative” to stand up for provincial rights, Saskatchewan’s justice minister says the province plans to support a constitutional challenge by Alberta Premier Jason Kenney against the federal government’s Bill C-69.
A day after Kenney announced Alberta’s challenge during a visit to Fort Mcmurray, Saskatchewan Justice Minister and Attorney General Don Morgan confirmed on Wednesday that Saskatchewan will apply for intervener status in support of Alberta’s case challenging the constitutionality of Bill C-69 in Alberta’s Court of Appeal.
“It’s important and absolutely imperative for us that we stick up for where the rights of the province are and the ability to regulate business and regulate industry in our province,” Morgan said Wednesday during a media scrum in Saskatoon.
“We’ve got a strong and vibrant oil and energy sector in our province, and we have to do everything we can to make sure that sector continues to be vibrant, strong and continues to grow.”
The province’s legal team felt Saskatchewan had a strong argument similar to the one being made by Alberta, Morgan said.
“We’re going to look carefully and see what is in the pleadings prepared by the Province of Alberta so that we make our pleadings unique and reflect the Saskatchewan situation, so we’re able to protect and promote Saskatchewan business and Saskatchewan industry,” he said.
The bill, proclaimed into law in late August, overhauls Canada’s energy regulator process for large resource projects.
‘GONE TOO FAR’
Changes include replacing the National Energy Board with a new regulator and changing rules for project approvals. When looking at how that’s applied to industries in Saskatchewan, Morgan said, “we worry about whether it’s gone too far.”
Kenney on Tuesday said that while the effect on jobs is critical, the challenge is “about the rule of law, the dream of an economic union.”
After the Senate passed C-69 on Aug. 29, the Alberta government pledged to launch a constitutional challenge against the bill, which the United Conservative government has dubbed the “no more pipelines act.” The oil industry has opposed the bill, arguing it will introduce uncertainty into the market. It was also opposed by the previous Alberta government led by former premier Rachel Notley.
Kenney on Tuesday said he was feeling confident because of growing provincial opposition to the bill and a federal carbon tax.
Kenney and Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe have become allies against many of the federal government’s policies.
Earlier this year, Moe accused Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of having “turned his back” on “the thousands of hardworking people (Canada’s energy and industrial) sectors employ in communities across the nation.”
Kenney’s United Conservative Party intervened in support of Saskatchewan’s carbon tax reference case. Alberta is now listed as an intervener in Saskatchewan’s appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada.