Alberta Premier Jason Kenney spoke to reporters in Saint John on the carbon tax, natural resources, and the future of pipelines.
West meets East in Saint John today, as Alberta Premier Jason Kenney spoke about responsible resource development and pipelines during an event.
The Energy East pipeline was a big topic of discussion, with Kenney saying it’s time for national unity.
He’s in solidarity with Premier Blaine Higgs on extending energy corridors all the way east, instead of stopping in Quebec.
“I mean, who could imagine New Brunswickers and Albertans together cheering for Toronto? Miracles can happen! If that can happen, you’re right, surely we can build a pipeline,” he joked during his speech, making reference to the Toronto Raptors’ big win.
Kenney says the dream of a pipeline to the Maritimes is not dead yet, and he will continue to fight for it approval amidst government hurdles.
“The major pipeline companies have told me that they have an open mind about an East Coast pipeline, but only if there’s a clear shot of getting it done. They can’t do it with regulatory uncertainty, the kind of uncertainty that killed Energy East in 2017,” he said.
Kenney says it’s time to be energy independent, develop natural resources responsibly, and move Alberta oil across the country at a fair price.
Both Higgs and Kenney say those who are pro-pipeline in the Maritimes shouldn’t worried that Alberta could lose interest in Energy East if a West coast pipeline like Trans Mountain is approved.
In fact, for Kenney, the more pipelines, the better.
“I’ve always said that we need multiple pipelines, not just one. One pipeline doesn’t get us the kind of certainty and diversity of markets that we need for Canadian energy, so I will continue to fight relentlessly for the dream of Energy East,” he said.
I’m at the Hilton today for a Chamber if Commerce breakfast, where Jason Kenney, Premier of Alberta is set to give a keynote talk. Here’s Kenney and Blaine Higgs meeting. pic.twitter.com/r5GxUTAogy
— Danielle McCreadie (@danimccreadie) June 14, 2019
Saint John Chamber of Commerce CEO David Duplisea agrees.
“There’s still optimism here in saint john to allow a pipeline to come through. the situation has not changed regardless of some of the initiatives and policy decisions that the current government is making. the dream is not dead,” he said in an interview.
Kenney says Energy East will continue to be a priority for Alberta, even if the Trans Mountain pipeline is approved.
More will be known about the future of the Trans Mountain next week after the Trudeau government releases finding from the latest review.
When asked if pipelines have a future under a Trudeau government, Kenney says no.
“Not under the Trudeau government’s current policy direction,” he told reporters.
“If they continue with (bill) C-69 without the senate amendments, it will become impossible, but I always want to hold out hope, and I hope that New Brunswick MP’s and all nine of the ten premiers can have an impact on this government to go back to the drawing board on this.”
