‘We will seek the path of diplomacy’: Kenney
Premier Jason Kenney is doubling down on a message that Alberta will use turn-off-the-tap legislation to choke off oil exports to B.C. if necessary, stopping short of enacting the controversial bill.
Kenney told reporters Wednesday morning that he wants to cooperate with B.C., and will “not start immediately with the highest card to play.”
“We will seek the path of diplomacy,” he said. “We are prepared to use tools like this if there is ongoing obstruction.”
He confirmed that his government proclaimed Bill 12 during the first cabinet meeting on Tuesday.
“The campaign to land lock Alberta’s resources … has been economically devastating and has contributed to the jobs crisis in this province,” he said at a news conference.
Kenney said British Columbians benefit from the existing Trans Mountain pipeline, and it’s time to expand the project.
“It’s the way that most B.C. gasoline is delivered,” he said.
“The B.C. government is doing everything it can to block the pipeline.”
Kenney added that Albertans are “going through a time of trial,” and his government will do what’s necessary to stand up for workers. “Albertans are rightly feeling deep frustration.”
He said he had a respectful conversation with B.C. Premier John Horgan and they agreed to have a longer meeting.
“I stated our position and he stated his,” Kenney said.
B.C. Attorney General David Eby promised Tuesday that a court challenge would come in short order.
“Our lawyers are ready to go to court because we believe this law is unconstitutional. We’ll be challenging it as soon as it’s proclaimed into law,” he said.
“There is a provision in the Constitution that says you can’t restrict the flow of refined products between provinces. And that is what Alberta is attempting to do.”
The NDP introduced Bill 12 last April as Alberta fought with B.C. over continued legal wrangling on the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion file. It gave Alberta’s energy minister the ultimate authority over shipping crude oil, natural gas or refined fuels out of the province.
But the bill was never proclaimed, instead lying in wait as a thumbscrew against pipeline opponents should Alberta need it.
The NDP opposition said Tuesday that proclaiming the bill was like “blowing up the weapon on the launch pad.”
“If you turn off the taps, it will have a significant impact on Alberta’s energy producers, costing hundreds of millions of dollars and thousands of jobs,” said Edmonton-Beverly-Clareview MLA Deron Bilous at the Federal Building.