B.C. ready to call Alta.’s ‘bluff’

B.C.’S ATTORNEY GENERAL DOESN’T BELIEVE ALBERTA WILL FOLLOW THROUGH

British Columbia’s attorney general says Alberta’s proposed fuel restriction law is a politically motivated “bluff” that will result in an immediate lawsuit from his province and likely lawsuits from oil companies.

David Eby said government legal experts looked at the legislation Alberta tabled Monday and concluded it’s unconstitutional, against the law and designed to not be enacted.

“Clearly the legislation is a bluff,” Eby said Tuesday. “They don’t intend to use it. If they did try to use it we would be in court immediately seeking an injunction to stop them from using it, but we would probably have to get in line behind oil companies that would be concerned about contracts that they have with companies in B.C. to deliver product.”

Alberta’s proposed legislation and B.C.’s response are the latest manoeuvres in the escalating dispute over the $7.4-billion Trans Mountain pipeline expansion that runs from Edmonton to Burnaby, B.C. The federal and Alberta governments support the project, while B.C. opposes it, saying it is defending its coast from a potentially catastrophic oil products spill.

So far, about 200 people have been arrested at a construction zone near the pipeline’s terminal site in Burnaby for allegedly breaking a court injunction keeping protesters away.

Indigenous leaders and local Vancouver-area politicians have also warned of increasing civil unrest as people from across Canada mount antipipeline protests.

Eby said he believed the Alberta legislation was intended to never be adopted, but if Alberta Premier Rachel Notley’s government does pass the law, then B.C. will immediately launch court action.

“We think they are very unlikely to use this, given the analysis, and we think they know it, and it is a bill for political purposes only,” Eby said in the legislature Tuesday during question period.

Notley said the legislation sends the message that Alberta is prepared to defend its resources.

It would direct pipeline companies, truckers and rail operators on how much oil product they ship and when. Violators would face fines of up to $1 million a day for individuals and $10 million a day for corporations.

Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe said Tuesday his province will support Alberta in the fight over the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion by introducing its own legislation on oil exports.