BC, AB reach agreement in principle on moving oil
Posted November 5, 2013 11:12 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – BC Premier Christy Clark and Alberta Premier Alison Redford have reached a deal involving BC’s five conditions around oil movement.
It’s by no means the end of the debate, but Alberta officially agrees with the five conditions BC has laid out. In turn, BC is endorsing the Canadian Energy Strategy led by Redford.
“Agreement on BC’s five conditions is a necessary first step before any proposals can be considered for approval,” says Clark, who acknowledges that this does not mean that any of the conditions have actually been met. In fact, none of them have been met so far.
Perhaps one of the most contentious of the conditions was a demand that BC get it’s “fair share” of economic benefits.
“I have always said the five conditions stand as they are. They will not be watered down, They will not be changed. They will not be modified. They stand.”
Clark now says royalties and taxes are not on the table.
“There are lots of different forms economic benefits can take; I’ve said that right from the very beginning. But when it comes to royalties, British Columbia has an interest in ensuring the provinces protect their royalties.”
Both premiers are in Vancouver for a joint news conference today.
