The federal government’s plan to overhaul the approval of energy projects has Grande Prairie – Mackenzie MP Chris Warkentin concerned. He took to Question Period earlier this week to ask Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to kill Bill C-69.
Warkentin feels the bill could drive jobs and investment out of the country. He notes that Canadian oil prices are already struggling.
“Canada’s oil is being liquidated at $17 a barrel while our international competitors are getting $54. This discount is costing the Canadian economy $80 million each and every day and is a direct result of the Liberals’ cancellation of the Northern Gateway, the Trans Mountain and the west to east pipeline projects.”
The controversial legislation currently before the senate would create a new Impact Assessment Agency and replace the National Energy Board with the Canadian Energy Regulator. It also outlines new timelines and processes needed in order for energy projects to move forward.
The plan has also been criticized by the Alberta NDP, which has called for more clarity on the length of reviews and exemptions for in-situ oilsands projects. Warkentin believes the problem lies with the federal leadership.
“The Liberals’ failures are costing the Canadian economy. Tens of billions of dollars are lost as discounted Canadian oil flows to the United States and this Prime Minister is making it worse with Bill C-69.”
Minister of Natural Resources Amarjeet Sohi rebukes that. He says the government is working with the energy sector and the province of Alberta.
“What we see today happening in Alberta is the result of a decade of inaction by the previous government to build a single pipeline to take our resources to non-U.S. markets. 99 per cent of Alberta’s oil is sold to only one single customer, which is the United States.”
Chiefs of the province’s 45 First Nations have voted unanimously to support Bill C-69, following an endorsement from four First Nations in the Fort McMurray region.