Alberta Premier Rachel Notley spoke yesterday (February 12th) to give an update on their ongoing pipeline dispute with B.C.

Notley said her government is still pressing hard, even after they stopped the purchase of electricity between the provinces and announced a boycott of B.C. wines last week.

When it comes to resolving the situation, Notley said the ball is not in her court.

"It's in British Columbia's power to put this issue to rest by acknowledging that it overstepped its authority by making this threat. Or, they can dig in their heels and pretend that they are a separate country, with powers to make whatever laws they want with no regard for the Constitution or the views and rights of other Canadians."

The dispute began a number of weeks ago when the Government of B.C. announced plans to stop the shipment of bitumen products between the provinces, which put the construction of the Trans Mountain Pipeline in jeopardy. Notley continued to make her case clear that this action is illegal.

"It's completely unconstitutional, it's a made-up authority, it's a made-up law, it's ridiculous, but the very act of threatening it also brings about an outcome so that threat must be removed."

Notley is confident that her government's concerns have been heard by the Federal Government and is confident they will intervene in the matter.

Some in the Opposition, including Airdrie MLA Angela Pitt, said that the move doesn't go far enough.

In a statement released yesterday, Pitt said the lack of attention they've seen from Prime Minister Trudeau is frustrating and urged Premier Notley to demand that the Federal Government intervene strongly.

Pitt quoted a recent survey that showed many in Alberta would be in favour of withholding Carbon Tax payments to the Federal Government until they step in. 

Notley, however, said that right now, they're giving the Federal Government and B.C. a little more time to talk things through.

"When I say we're going to give them a little bit of space, we're talking days but not much more than that. During those days, we will let the Federal Government exercise and use the tools it has at its disposal and at its discretion."

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Alberta Fires Back At BC Over Pipeline Dispute

 

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