As we’re approaching a month having passed since the B.C. announced a freeze on diluted bitumen and the subsequent trade war between B.C. and Alberta having no real end in sight, it’s time to call it for what it is; a bunch of political games at the expense of constituents.
Following the announcement back in January, Alberta Premier Rachel Notley said: “The B.C. government took this action with no provocation and almost no warning.” This is nonsense. While the exact actions the BC NDP was going to take may not have been clear or delivered to Notley on a silver platter, it was pretty clear that after approving Site C and failing to deliver (at least for now) on $10 a day daycare, not doing something to fight the Kinder Morgan Pipeline would be political suicide for the BC NDP.
It’s important to note here, that Horgan isn’t doing this to attack Alberta; it’s for self-preservation (not that B.C. winemakers should be footing the bill for that either though).
With an election coming up on May 31 in Alberta, Notley has to look strong in order to be re-elected. However, from here in B.C., taking trade actions against B.C. parties that ostensibly have nothing to do with the whole issue (i.e. B.C. winemakers) only looks petty. Especially with the B.C. government (at least so far) not retaliating.
With the importance of publically opposing the pipeline project for Horgan, it’s hard to see him budging on the issue. Especially when Alberta is looking a little petty. Furthermore, folding like a cheap suit to Alberta pressure would be worse for the BC NDP that not having raised the issue at all. Alberta pressure is undoubtedly something they anticipated anyways. Surely, if there was any way to resolve the issue that didn’t involve the courts, it would be through negotiations, not arbitrary punishment of some B.C. industries. It is also doubtful Alberta will reward Notley with another term if the pipeline doesn’t go ahead for her “heroic” actions against B.C. wine.
The most aggravating thing in the whole situation is Notley calling that the restriction is unconstitutional but the issue not being fought out in the courts. If is unconstitutional, it should simply be fought out in the courts (either between B.C. and the federal government or B.C. and Alberta). This stupid political game would still be on the back of taxpayers but at least it would have both a foreseeable end (other than elections) and the burden would be far less arbitrary.
The federal government, who really should be able to put the issue to bed one way or another, have notably been absent through this whole situation as getting involved one way or another would likely cost them votes as well.
Hopefully, voters see they’re the ones paying for all these political games; they certainly shouldn’t be pawns pushed around.