National Post (National Edition)
Notley must continue pushing trade with U.S.
Carlo Dade, director of the Centre for Trade and Investment Policy at the Canada West Foundation, said the timing of the premier’s mission to the U.S. capital was a “great choice by the folks in the provincial government — to line up a visit for her … when a lot of her peers were going to be there.
“We’ve got to start showing up at more of these meetings and it’s got to be the premiers,” said Dade, who criticized Notley for being absent at a recent meeting held in Colorado, which was attended by Mexican state governors and only Prince Edward Island Premier Wade MacLauchlan from Canada.
“She’s talking with governors — her colleagues and her peers, and that’s where we really have influence,” Dade said.
He said it’s more difficult for the premier to “win friends and influence people” in Congress because foreign diplomats have cued up six or seven people deep in each politician’s office since Trump was elected.
However, he said, Canadian premiers have a unique and advantaged relationship with American governors, who can in turn exert some influence on Congress members from their states.
Similarly, University of Calgary assistant professor of political science Melanee Thomas said as premier, Notley is obligated to go to Washington when trade is threatened.
“I don’t think this is one of those things that’s optional,” Thomas said.
“Of all the Canadian actors, the premier of Alberta is probably in a better position than other Canadian actors because they’re going to be advocating for oil and gas,” she said.
Thomas said Notley’s mission in Washington is to reiterate to as many policymakers as possible: “Here’s a bunch of safe oil. You like safe oil, right?”
I DON’T THINK THIS IS ONE OF THOSE THINGS THAT’S OPTIONAL