With the petroleum industry remaining a key contributor to the region’s economy – whether through direct impacts such as drilling and pipeline construction or indirect impacts such as taxes on industrial properties – responsible efforts to support and promote the oilpatch are worthwhile.
Whether the Smith government’s new $7 million advertising campaign aimed at countering the Trudeau government’s environmental plans is likewise good for families and businesses in the district remains an open question.
What is known is when the governments spend millions of taxpayer dollars on anything at anytime it is a matter of public interest.
The Scrap the Cap campaign includes advertising in several Canadian provinces, calling on the federal government to reconsider its plans to cap oil and gas emissions.
For her part, Premier Danielle Smith says the Trudeau government’s plans to address emissions from the oil and gas industry will cost Alberta jobs and reduce tax revenues. And she says the proposed cap is on production, not emissions.
“We’re telling the federal government to forget this reckless and extreme idea and get behind Alberta’s leadership by investing in real solutions that cut emissions, not Canada’s prosperity,” said Smith.
The federal government says that reducing emissions from the oil and gas industry is vital for the long-term environmental protection of all Canadians.
“And that’s why we’re talking about putting a cap on emissions, one that we’ve worked closely with the industry on, a cap on emissions, not a cap on production,” said Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Alberta NDP leader Naheed Nenshi says instead of fighting the Trudeau government, the Smith government should be negotiating with its federal counterparts.
“We have a (provincial) government that would rather fight than win,” said Nenshi.
The Scrap the Cap’campaign is the latest attempt by the UCP government to undermine and counter the federal government’s plans and policies.
Of course the question remains, should Alberta taxpayer dollars in the millions continue be spent by the Smith regime in its fight with the Trudeau Liberals?
Dan Singleton is an editor with the Albertan.
