Alberta Premier Rachel Notley is backing out of the Western Premiers Conference in Yellowknife to focus on their pipeline dispute with B.C.

Notley says that the issues surrounding the expansion of the Trans Mountain Pipeline expansion would not have been the highest priority of the conference.

(Photo Courtesy: Government of Alberta)

“When it comes to inter-provincial relations, it’s not business as usual, not even close. That is why I have chosen not to attend this Western Premiers meeting. My time is better spent here, working with the Federal Government, working with Kinder Morgan and making sure we get across the finish line before the May 3st deadline.”

Deputy Premier and Health Minister Sarah Hoffman will represent Alberta at the meetings where they will discuss key issues including Pharmacare.

The news comes as the Government of B.C. has filed legal action over the recently passed Bill 12. Under this Bill, the Government of Alberta would have the right to restrict or halt shipments of their oil products outside their provincial boundaries.

The Bill was nicknamed the ‘turn off the taps Bill’ as it’s purpose was to shut oil supply off to B.C. in the hopes of them backing down from halting the pipeline expansion.

Already, opposition critics have spoken against the Premier’s decision and Bill 12.

Alberta Liberal Leader David Khan said that enacting the Bill only pushed the B.C. Government further to file their lawsuit, making the situation worse and not better. The Liberals voted against Bill 12 last week.

When responding to the legal action from B.C. Notley did not seem phased, in fact, she felt that it didn’t make sense in the overall picture.

“On one hand, they don’t want our oil and on the other hand, they’re suing us to give them our oil. What I would also suggest is that it’s probably premature. Although we appreciate them sharing their arguments with us in advance.”

Last month Kinder Morgan put a deadline of May 31st to their expansion project, which means they could pull out if B.C. continues to disrupt the project.

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