Peace River-Westlock MP Arnold Viersen says he doesn’t envy premier Rachel Notley with respect to the ongoing dispute with British Columbia over the Trans Mountain Pipeline.
Viersen spoke to the Barrhead Leader May 22 and noted that the situation Notley finds herself in is not one of her own making.
Last week, Notley elected not to attend a Western Premiers Conference that was held in Yellowknife and deputy premier Sarah Hoffman, who did attend, declined to sign statements that arose from the conference.
Citing the Trans Mountain Pipeline expansion that has been held up by B.C. over environmental and safety concerns for years and the May 31 deadline for provincial approval mandated by the pipeline’s company looming, Notley said her only priority is in working with Kinder Morgan and the federal government to secure the construction of the pipeline.
“I would not want to be in Rachel Notley’s shoes at the moment,” Viersen said. “This is not a problem of her making, it is a problem of [Prime Minister] Justin Trudeau’s making. He has cancelled every major energy project that has been on the table, whether it is Energy East or Northern Gateway or what-have-you.” Viersen said the government is getting desperate.
“This is the last of five major energy projects that were tabled that has not yet been terminated and I feel for the premier, in that I recognize that this [dispute] is not her problem and yet the prime minister has made it hers,” Viersen said, adding Alberta’s political hardball with B.C. may be the only card Notley has to play against Parliament Hill.
“It is her right. I think Justin Trudeau needs to come clean with Canadians — does he support energy development? I think he has been clear enough.”
Viersen said the prime minister has repeatedly maintained Canada should phase out oil and gas.
“On a recent trip to France, our prime minister apologized to the French government for our inability to phase it out fast enough,” Viersen said, noting because of instances like this, Opposition members have their doubts Trudeau has the will to back the pipeline project with a firm resolve.
He said Notley’s abrupt decision to cancel her appearance at the conference is an example of politicians venting their frustrations.
“We call on Justin Trudeau every day to champion the oil and gas industry the way that it needs to be, the way he champions the causes of the Canadian automotive sector, the forestry sector and basically everyone else who isn’t in the oil and gas sector.”