The fact that the provincial and federal governments remain deeply divided on issues surrounding the oil and gas industry should by now be obvious to everyone.
Last week, provincial and federal energy ministers met to discuss the state of the industry and look for ways of moving it towards a more successful future.
Unfortunately, the meeting ended up being anything but constructive. In fact, the ministers even failed to agree on a joint declaration at the conclusion of the 2019 Energy and Mines Ministers' Conference.
Such declarations are typically issued following ministers’ conferences – yet this time the ministers remained so far apart on many key issues that no such statement was forthcoming.
With a very large part of the provincial economy dependent on the oil and gas industry, the fact that provincial and federal leaders are unable to put aside differences for the sake of all parties should be a great concern to all Albertans.
For her part, Alberta’s Minister of Energy Sonya Savage acknowledges that the parties remain deeply divided.
“I was hoping to have substantive dialogue on the challenges facing Alberta’s oil and gas industry,” said Savage. “However, it was clear the federal government did not want any meaningful conversation about its encroachment on provincial jurisdiction of natural resources or the devastating impact bills C-69 and C-48 will have on competitiveness and market access for provinces across the country.”
For his part, federal Minister of Natural Resources Amarjeet Sohi says the federal government is committed to working with provinces to move the energy industry forward.
“Canada’s natural advantage positions us to attract investments, develop new projects sustainably and grow our global exports, while protecting our environment, fighting climate change and advancing reconciliation with Indigenous people,” said Sohi.
“The opportunity is now, and we are taking bold action to deliver for Canadians from coast to coast."
As has become obvious in recent months, the Trudeau Liberals and the Kenney UCP remain light years apart on the future of the oil and gas industry – and that promises to make energy a key federal election issue this fall.
- Singleton is the Mountain View Gazette editor
