Consumers should bear Mackenzie gas line costs

The Canadian Gas Association wants consumers, not the federal government to carry the financial burden of projects such as a natural gas pipeline from the Mackenzie Delta.

Association President Mike Cleland said there should be no federal incentives or subsidies to advance the development of oil, natural gas or electricity. His remarks were in response to recent comments by ExxonMobil Chief Executive Officer Rex Tillerson who said that he doubted the Canadian government could create “enough room in the fiscal structure” to make the Mackenzie Gas Project economic.

Cleland endorsed the Conference Board of Canada’s call for the government to establish a “long-term vision and strategy for the energy sector,” with greater emphasis on environmental issues.

Cleland said his association, which represents more than 125 companies, organizations and individuals, has been making a case for the past three years to more closely align climate change plans and energy development.

He said the Canadian government needs to play a leading role in developing a more “coherent framework” to move from a market-focused and reactive energy policy to one that is more closely tied to environmental policies.

—Gary Park