Politicians from most federal and Alberta parties have thrown in their two-cents worth on the looming cancellation of the Keystone XL pipeline expansion – everyone that is, except Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Trudeau has made no comment since it was reported last night that US President-elect Joe Biden would cancel the US$8 billion pipeline project the first day he’s in office on January 20.
His office said Monday morning he has no public comments planned.
Alberta Premier Jason Kenney – whose UCP government invested $1.5 billion of taxpayers money in the Keystone XL pipeline expansion project – says he’s “concerned” about the reports. Along with the direct cash investment, Alberta gave TC Energy a $6 billion loan guarantee in 2021. Cancellation of the project could be potential ruinous not for both Alberta’s economy, and government finances.
And if Biden does cancel the project, Kenney said he will sue.
“The risk surrounding the Keystone XL pipeline has been very obvious for some time. Nevertheless, Jason Kenney jeopardized up to $7.5 billion of Alberta taxpayers’ money on this project and now we’re learning it may be stopped altogether,” said NDP leader Rachel Notley.
“While there’s no question that the successful completion of KXL can be beneficial to Alberta’s economy, the Premier has never come clean on the economic and risk analysis associated with his massive gamble.
“From the moment that Albertans’ dollars were put at risk, Jason Kenney has also continued to reject the importance of a strong environmental and climate policy that would help make the case for KXL.
“With KXL facing critical moments in the coming days, Albertans deserve to know exactly how much of their money is at stake. Jason Kenney and the UCP need to stop hiding this deal from Albertans and finally release it in its entirety.”
Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe expressed disappointment over the news.
“Construction of this project should be a top priority for Canadian-U.S. economic relations. It is critical to North American energy security, will have a tremendous employment impact north and south of the border and has garnered significant indigenous support,” said Moe.
“Environmentally, Keystone will reach net-zero emissions when it first turns on, and will be powered by 100 per cent renewable energy by 2030.
“While I am urging the Prime Minister to leverage his relationship with Mr. Biden, Saskatchewan will continue exercising our contacts in Washington D.C. to advocate for the continuation of this project that clearly benefits both of our nations.”
Maverick Party interim leader Jay Hill expressed his frustration at the reported cancellation.
“The devastating and ill-informed decision to kill Keystone XL reinforces the need for every province to have the constitutional right to bring its natural resources to market for the benefit of that province and its citizens,” said Hill in a statement.
“Alberta should have the constitutional right to take the lead in negotiating with the United States to secure market access, rather than an ineffective and weak federal Liberal government with a proven anti-oil agenda.
“This short-sighted and ill-advised decision does nothing to combat climate change, but merely attempts to appease environmental groups who support US energy projects at the expense of Western Canadian jobs.
“We strongly condemn this decision and the Trudeau government that has shown little opposition to this crushing blow to the West’s economy.”
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh, on the other hand, warming greeted Biden’s decision.
“I agree with that decision. I do not support the project,” Singh told reporters.
“This is the direction that the future requires, we’ve got to fight the climate crisis.
“Global markets are clearer than ever that the jobs of the future are jobs that help us fight the climate crisis and that’s where we need to make investments. Justin Trudeau has failed on this.”
During the Democratic primaries and campaign, Biden vowed to kill the pipeline, large portions of which have already been built in Alberta. He made the vow before Alberta invested it’s $1.5 billion and made $6 billion in loan guarantees.
The Democratic candidate and the vice president-elect, Kamala Harris, have also said in the past they would put an end to fracking, a promise they did not repeat during the campaign.
The Keystone pipeline runs from Alberta to refineries in Illinois and Texas.
The new pipeline would run from Hardisty, Alberta to Steele City, Nebraska.
And Moe asked a final question Monday morning.
“Where is the Prime Minister on this?” Moe tweeted.
…. more to come
Dave Naylor is the News Editor of the Western Standard
dnaylor@westernstandardonline.com
TWITTER: Twitter.com/nobby7694