Alberta-B.C. impasse persists

The rift between Alberta and British Columbia remains entrenched as the two provinces go their separate ways.

Alberta Premier Alison Redford was in Vancouver Aug. 14 speaking to a legal conference, but made no effort to meet with her B.C. counterpart Christy Clark to seek an end to their standoff over Enbridge’s Northern Gateway pipeline, which Clark opposes unless her province is promised a bigger slice of revenues from the C$6 billion project.

The only olive branch extended by Redford was her concession that British Columbians were free to debate the merits of the controversial pipeline proposal.

“It is entirely appropriate for people in British Columbia to have a discussion with respect to whether or not (Northern Gateway) makes sense for them,” she said.

But she told reporters, less than a two-minute walk from Clark’s downtown Vancouver office, that the B.C. premier is not entitled to use Alberta’s energy royalties as a bargaining chip.

Positions clear

“We believe it’s very important for economic benefits to be spread across (Canada) and we don’t believe that fundamentally changing Confederation (which gives provinces ownership and control over development of their natural resources) is appropriate.”

Redford also left no doubt that she is pressing ahead with her goal of creating a national energy strategy, even if B.C. remains on the sidelines.

“We have every other premier across the country understanding the importance of the energy economy and understanding that it’s important for all Canadians that we do work together,” she said.

“It’s important for all of us as political leaders to work together to ensure there is access to international markets and that there isn’t any particular province that should get more access or less access to international markets based on geographical location,” she said.

Redford did not rule out future talks with Clark, saying “I’m sure at some point in the future another discussion will take place.”

—Gary Park