Thoughts on BC Politics and More

Premiers representing the territories and Western provinces will gather in Kananaskis, Alberta, for a two-day meeting starting today. What's happening: Pipelines, separatism, equalization payments and Indigenous land rights could be among the hot topics discussed as the premiers sit down today in Alberta. BC's David Eby, Alberta's Danielle Smith, Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe and Premier Wab Kinew of Manitoba are all expected to attend. Premiers at odds: Smith and Eby have been at odds in recent months after the signing of the memorandum of understanding on a potential new pipeline project to the Pacific coast. Eby criticized Smith's approach to separation and pipeline talks earlier this month. Both leaders have suggested the meetings could get awkward ... CLICK HERE for the full story 

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre says the prime minister has "wasted an entire year" deliberating a potential new oil pipeline out of Alberta — criticism that comes after Mark Carney said a new pipeline is "more probable than possible." "He's been prime minister for a year and he still hasn't even made up his mind whether he supports a pipeline," Poilievre told reporters at a news conference in Toronto on Sunday morning. "He's wasted an entire year" ... CLICK HERE for the full story 

Energy Minister Tim Hodgson is brushing off questions over whether the Liberal government will repeal the tanker ban in BC's northern waters, calling them "hypothetical" since Alberta has not formally submitted a pipeline proposal for consideration. Speaking to reporters Friday afternoon in Montreal, Hodgson addressed Alberta's announcement that it plans to pitch a new bitumen pipeline to the northern coast of BC — a move that drew a sharp rebuke from BC Premier David Eby. "What we've said is that if Alberta wants to be a proponent [and] they want to put the money forward to work as a proponent for a pipeline, that's their right to do," Hodgson said ... CLICK HERE for the full story 

As he announces his refusal to sign on to the pipeline accord recently reached by Premiers Ford, Smith and Moe, Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew appears to be wearing two hats. First, he wears his premier’s hat. He knows that any pipeline project must pass through Manitoba, and he is refusing to let it pass unless his terms are accepted. Here’s what he said: “Our government will not treat consultation as a box to check after decisions are made,” said Kinew on Wednesday. “We believe reconciliation requires shared decision-making from the start.” But the second hat Kinew appears to don is the feathered headdress of an Indian chief ... CLICK HERE for the full story 

Mark Carney is being accused of giving Alberta and Quebec different answers on the east-west pipeline issue. Basically, the accusation is that he is telling Alberta “Yes, we will build the pipeline” while at the same time telling Quebec “No, we won’t, unless you  change your mind and say Yes.” We should not be surprised. In fact, he is just taking a page out of the playbook of William Lyon Mackenzie King who, with a total of 21 years and 154 days in office, remains not only the longest-serving prime minister in Canadian history, but also the longest-serving Liberal leader. He held the position for exactly 29 years. It was King’s famous “Not necessarily conscription, but conscription if necessary” sleight of hand that kept his Liberals in power during a similar episode in history, when Quebec wanted one thing, and the rest of the country wanted exactly the opposite ... CLICK HERE for the rest of the story

  A strong majority of Quebeckers are in favour of developing new pipelines for oil and gas to supply Europe and Asia, according to a new Montreal Economic Institute (MEI)-Ipsos poll released this morning.   “Quebeckers recognize that each cubic metre of gas we export to Europe is a cubic metre of gas less that Russia exports,” said Renaud Brossard, senior director of communications at the MEI.   “The population is much more open to developing our energy resources than are its representatives at the National Assembly" ... CLICK HERE for the rest of the story

Have you ever wondered why pipelines are considered a horrible environmental blight in Canada, but nowhere else in the world? The answer is that Canada cannot market its oil and gas products without pipelines. If vested interests want to keep Canada out of participating in the world petroleum markets, the only have to de monize pipelines, making it impossible to extend or build new pipelines to seaports and domestic markets and the mission is accomplished. The highly successful environmental push to block Canada’s petroleum industry growth and with it a booming economy, full employment and billions for research into more efficient and effective ways to burn petroleum products more cleanly is a highly successful public relations campaign that has no basis in fat or truth. It is not the first time we have been hoaxed by industrialists and investors protecting their profits and influence. Consider alcohol advertising prior to our adding up the carnage on our streets when inebriate...

  Have you ever wondered why pipelines are considered a horrible environmental blight in Canada, but nowhere else in the world? The answer is simple ... Canada cannot market its oil and gas products without pipelines. If some people want to keep Canada out of participating in the world petroleum markets, demonizing pipelines makes it impossible to extend or build new pipelines to seaports and domestic markets and the blockade mission is accomplished. The highly successful environmental push to block Canada’s petroleum industry growth and with it a booming economy, full employment and billions for research into more efficient and effective ways to burn petroleum products more cleanly is a successful public relations campaign that has very little basis in truth. It is not the first time we have been hoaxed by industriali...

Hey team ... I am calling you a team, because I honestly feel that we are all working together towards a common goal. Someone asked me if I stand in solidarity, and before they added the last word, I said " I sure do "; I am speaking out for what I call # TeamCanada . I recognize that without the farmers doing what they do, I would never have flour for my bannock. I would never have vegetables for a salad, or potatoes to smother in butter or gravy. Without the ranchers, I would never have eggs, or chickens or beef for my burgers. Or the medium rare steak that is going to taste so good over a camp fire. Without the loggers I would have no lumber to build my tree stands, and without pulp and paper people, well ... let's just say I do not like the feel of leaves on my derriere. Without the miners we would have no minerals to make things out of, and without the power and cellular service providers I would be in the dark. I would have to send...

Texas is more than two times as attractive than Alberta for oil and gas investment, according to a new survey of petroleum -sector executives released today by the Fraser Institute, an independent, non- partisan, Canadian public policy think - tank. “ Canada’s onerous and uncertain regulations, along with our dearth of pipeline capacity has created a competitiveness chasm between Canada and the United States— particularly between Alberta and Texas ,” said Ashley Stedman , senior policy analyst at the Fraser Institute and co -author of the Canada- US Energy Sector Competitiveness Survey . The survey, conducted between May and August of this year, ranks 20 North America n jurisdictions (15 states and five provinces) based on policies affecting oil and gas investment . This year, Texas ranked 1 st while Alberta ranked 16 th out of 20. Specifically, 80 per cent of survey respondents cited uncertain environmental regulations as a deterrent to inv...

I FEAR FOR OUR COUNTRY ...   We have become a country fragmented even worse, following last nights federal election, with regions now pitted on against the other in terms of party allegiance, and reasons for that allegiance. In the Maritimes with saw a virtual swath of Red for the Liberals once again ... while in Quebec the rise of the separatists Bloc Québécois , who along with most, if not all, continue to speak of the province of Quebec as a separate nation; that despite the fact that cannot survive without sucking on the teat of equalization payments – paid for in large part by BC, Alberta and Saskatchewan.   This, is a province that is like a little child in a grocery store demanding the sweet treats, candies, and sugary cereals they see on the store shelves --- or elsewhere, the toys and video games they’ve seen in Saturday cartoons.  You know they ones I mean – they throw tantrums because they can’t get their own way—or until they do get it. Q...

Talking with a few leaders of First Nations communities in Saanich North and the Islands and on the north coast recently, a common theme emerged ... frustration with the federal and provincial government. The theme, and the frustration, is not new. Indigenous leaders have been expressing this same sentiment for decades. The story-line goes something like this... “ Our fish boats are tied to the docks and our people cannot fish. We are not allowed to harvest other seafood from the ocean like we have done for generations .” “ The forests in our territory are being cut down and the logs are shipped to either a local mill owned by a foreign entity or they go to a mill offshore nearly raw. We see no benefit .” “ Our communities are impoverished. We don’t have clean drinking water, the houses are falling apart, our families are overcrowded and the other poorly built infrastructure is decaying. Unemployment is high and the mental health and well-...

In a recent message to members, BC Conservative Party leader Trevor Bolin stated, “ We have done it ... the Made in BC platform has been viewed by over 1,000,000 British Columbians in only 35 days. With your help our message has been resonating with folks from all over this great province ”. Bolin continued, “ I set out with a goal of getting in front of 1,000,000 people in 90 days, and we did it with 55 days to spare, but I am not going to slow down. We recently rolled out #5 It’s About You . People are tired of a government that isn’t accountable to us and the people that put them in power ”. “ We have seen what happens when governments listen to wealthy corporate donors and special interest groups. We all pay the price of those mistakes. It’s time to put people back in power in this province, and we are the only party that can and will do that ”. Recently Facebook has been chock full of messages about the BC Liberals blaming the NDP for high gas pri...