With the Trans Mountain Pipeline expansion project set to face a major milestone next week, the time is fast approaching when Premier Rachel Notley may have some very tough decisions to make.
Kinder Morgan has set a May 31 deadline for the project, saying unless it receives assurances that the B.C. government will get on board, the company will step away.
And if that happens, the cost to Alberta communities, including those in this region, could be extensive and very far-reaching.
“It is important that Canadians understand what’s at stake when we talk about the Trans Mountain Pipeline expansion,” said Premier Notley. “A lack of market access is costing Canadians good jobs. It is putting the national climate plan at risk.
“And it is costing Canada billions every year – money that could be paying for things like roads, schools and hospitals from coast to coast to coast.”
In an effort to set out its position on the project, the Alberta government is spending more than $1.2 million on an advertising campaign aimed at swaying public opinion about the project.
“The ‘Keep Canada Working’ campaign aims to inform all Canadians about the benefits of market access and counter the misinformation, harassment and obstruction that the project has faced,” she said.
“The campaign’s goal is to speed up market access for Alberta’s energy products by increasing awareness of the benefits of an expanded pipeline and -- as a result -- increasing support for its speedy construction.”
Whether the campaign will be successful in keeping the project alive remains to be seen.
What is known is that if the B.C. government is successful in killing the federally approved Trans Mountain project, it will set a very dangerous precedent vis-à-vis interprovincial relationships.
If the project dies on May 31, is Alberta prepared to let bygones be bygones – or should it strike back at B.C. by cutting off the flow of Alberta fuel to its western neighbour? Should Alberta launch a trade war with B.C.?
No question, Premier Notley may soon have some very tough decisions to make.
- Singleton is the Mountain View Gazette editor.
