With 2018 drawing to a close, it is important to reflect on where we are at, how we got here and where we are going.
Clearly the story of 2018 would be the inability of Alberta oil producers to get their product to market. We face a crisis not seen since the fight our province had over the National Energy Program being imposed on us by Pierre Trudeau.
Three years ago, our Premier called Alberta ‘the embarrassing cousin’ and blindly partnered with the Trudeau Liberal government in Ottawa, agreeing with his energy and environmental policy. After three years of raising taxes on oil companies and everyone who works in the industry, imposing a hard cap on oilsands emissions, adding a pile of red tape and regulations and introducing the carbon tax, what has this partnership got us?
In 2016, Trudeau implemented the West Coast tanker ban and killed the Northern Gateway pipeline project. Premier Notley lauded Trudeau’s leadership.
In 2017, Trans Canada walked away from the Energy East pipeline, citing uncertainty ‘in light of the regulator’s new, tougher review process’ put in place by Trudeau. Silence from the NDP.
That left the Trans-Mountain pipeline expansion project as the only option left and we all know where that sits – abandoned by Kinder Morgan, purchased by the Federal government for $4.5 Billion and currently sitting on the shelf, put there by the courts (similar to where Northern Gateway was when Trudeau killed it).
On top of all that, Trudeau has put forward Bill C-69, a bill so full of regulatory hoops that industry says no new pipelines will ever be built in Canada. Albertans are justifiably concerned.
The last three years has created division and I believe good leadership highlighting the responsible development of our energy products and the positive impact it brings to all Canadians is necessary. Alberta is a safe, reliable and innovative energy producer. We can show Canadians and the world why they need more responsibly produced Alberta energy. The demand is growing, but our commodities require safe and reliable transportation networks.
Over 100 years ago, Canada was united through the construction of a railroad. Today, pipelines have the same potential to help build our country, not tear it apart.
I am proud to be an Albertan and I will stand up for the people of Alberta. As we enter the New Year make it your resolution to help promote this great province.
As always, it is my honor to represent you in the Alberta Legislative Assembly. Please do not hesitate to contact my office if I can be of assistance. I wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Glenn van Dijken, MLA
Barrhead-Morinville-Westlock
