Keystone advocacy won’t slow despite departures
Redford and Oliver led the way on lobbying efforts, McQueen says
Keystone XL champions Alison Redford and Joe Oliver both decamped this week but Alberta Energy Minister Diana McQueen says the task of promoting the Keystone XL pipeline project will continue in earnest.
Redford announced her resignation as Alberta premier on Wednesday, the same day Oliver left his Natural Resources portfolio to become federal finance minister. Both enjoyed reputations as ardent promoters of the proposed Keystone XL pipeline to transport Alberta crude oil to the U.S Gulf Coast.
Redford made five trips to Washington, D.C. during her time as premier.
“She worked really hard on relationships, and looked at the bigger picture for what’s good for Alberta, but (also) what’s the benefit for other provinces and our nation,” McQueen said in an interview. “I think that was one of her strengths. Premier Redford was a great champion on (Keystone) and many other projects but the one thing about her leadership was empowering others.”
Alberta’s lobbying efforts on Keystone, the proposed Northern Gateway pipeline to the West Coast and the proposed Energy East pipeline will now be up to McQueen, Intergovernmental Relations Minister Cal Dallas, and whoever is chosen the new leader of the Progressive Conservatives. Dave Hancock was named interim premier Thursday.
“Whoever becomes our premier, this will be a very important file for that person as well, but Cal and I, and others that will be responsible for these files, will continue to be strong advocates,” McQueen said.
The Keystone XL proposal is currently being evaluated by the U.S. State Department, which is determining if it serves the U.S. national interest.
“We’re being careful in giving them the space they need,” McQueen said. “We respect the process it needs to go through. If they need us to come to Washington ... we’ll be there in a moment.”
A final decision will be up to President Barack Obama.
McQueen said she wishes Oliver well in his new role at Finance and looks forward to working with Greg Rickford, Oliver’s successor at Natural Resources.
TransCanada issued a statement thanking Oliver for “all he has done” to help promote and advance the importance of Canada’s energy industry. The company also said it appreciates Redford’s work on behalf of its Keystone XL and Energy East projects.
“We recognize and thank her for being an advocate for improved market access to Alberta’s natural resources and we will look forward to working with her successor and Alberta’s cabinet in continuing to advance the importance of the energy industry,” the statement said.
The Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers declined to comment on Redford’s departure but said it looks forward to working with Rickford.
“Now is a critical time for Canada’s natural resource sector, and Rickford will need to get up to speed quickly on a number of files,” CAPP said.
A spokeswoman for Rickford said he was in briefings Friday and wouldn’t be available for an interview. State Department officials wouldn’t comment about Redford or Oliver when contacted by the Journal on Friday.