Nothing like a childish kindergarten brawl between politicians involving our precious liquid: oil and wine. The B.C. government stalls the development of the Kinder Morgan pipeline and now an inter-provincial trade dispute ensues with Alberta Premier, Rachel Notley. I thought it was a signed “done deal” back in 2016. Not sure boycotting consumer goods and services in retaliation is the right answer.
The pipeline is an economic boon for all of Canada
Premier John Horgan, B.C. premier may have a “cooler head”, but his idea to delay the pipeline is ill-conceived. The Trans Mountain pipeline expansion project is delayed due to the proposed ban on increased bitumen shipments from Alberta. Seriously? I believe the legal document was signed and federally approved so tad late to be changing your mind. I don’t care if re-election is pending and you need more votes. I can understand the potential environmental impact, but bitumen has been safely travelling down the pipelines for 65 years. Besides, there are over 50 stipulations, conditions and clauses attached to the agreement. Got it covered. Maybe B.C. citizens don’t mind being gouged at the gas pump? Cut off their supply of oil and gas and they will be in trouble. Not to mention Kinder Morgan Trans Mountain pipeline will produce thousands of jobs that are desperately needed for the battered industry.
Retaliation…”Tit for Tat”
All this back-and-forth retaliation seems childish. Rachel Notley and the Alberta government suspended power purchase talks with British Columbia. Take that. It will cost B.C. Hydro is roughly $500 million. This may affect my electricity rate in Alberta. Last Tuesday, Alberta banned the import of B.C. wine through the Alberta Gaming And Liquor Commission. Does the Alberta government still have control over the flow of liquor since they privatized it? Hardly. This will mostly hurt Alberta consumers and small wine retailers, not the B.C. economy. Compare that to the oil and gas industry which makes up about 20% of Alberta’s GDP. I’m glad I stocked up on some B.C. wine. Time to switch to one of Alberta’s excellent craft beers or switch to something from the Niagara region. At least my wine is flowing into my glass while the oil and gas industry stands on shaky ground.
Other boycotts down the road?
In the meantime, what other potential retaliation can we explore? I have to hand it to John Horgan for not retaliating with his own set of trade bans and suspensions. British Columbians could close up their fruit shops, markets and orchards to Albertans. No more fresh B.C. fruit for you! Maybe Albertans can stop vacationing in B.C. and retire in the B.C. interior. No more clogging up the Trans-Canada highway with RV’s, ski bums and semi-retired baby boomers making their trek through the B.C. Rockies. Edmontonians will be forced to stay home and shudder in the cold. There goes B.C.’s tourism, retail and hospitality industry. Besides B.C. is too expensive anyway. Doesn’t B.C. stand for “Bring Cash”?
Can’t the Federal Government intervene?
Notley believes the boycott is unconstitutional and she is mostly right; You can’t simply ignore the law and stall the pipeline expansion. You can’t blame her for reaching out to Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau. Legal action and injunction may be the answer unless the federal government can do something. Trudeau vows that the Trans Mountain pipeline project will be built, but should we trust his word? Don’t forget he committed to climate change so it sends a mixed message to climate campaigners, environmentalists and aboriginal people. So far he has done little, but speak and be heckled at forums across the country. Pretty controversial project, but they will find a middle ground.
After several months, the trade dispute between B.C. and Alberta ended peacefully. Consumers and retailers shouldn’t be caught in the middle of the political power struggle. Oil and wine have started flowing again with little interruption.
