Premier Rachel Notley says B.C. Premier John Horgan’s latest appeal to the court system is another attack on Alberta’s oil, but adds that she doubts it will get him very far.
Horgan filed a reference case on Thursday, asking the B.C. Supreme Court to rule on whether or not the government has the right to control heavy oils that flow through pipelines in the province.
He says it’s his government’s job to look at these sorts of issues.
“We have a responsibility, in my opinion, to do our best to protect this place that is so important to all of us, to protect the environment that means so much to our economy.”
Horgan’s plan is to impose a requirement for companies that send bitumen through the line to have a permit and have a spill-response plan ready.
Premier Notley wasn’t surprised when she heard about the announcement, but wasn’t worried.
“I think that the courts will see right through it and I don’t think they have anywhere near the jurisdiction to do what they are proposing to. Heaven forbid if they did, the whole economy will grind to a halt.”
Kinder Morgan is already in the middle of work stoppage of the Trans Mountain project because of B.C.’s resistance, saying that the federal government will need to give them a clear assurance that it is approved by the end of May.
If the company drops out altogether, both Alberta and the Canadian government have suggested they have considered becoming key investors in the project.
(With files from Kathy Le)
