‘Reckless’: BC Liberals slam NDP’s Trans Mountain opposition

BURNABY (NEWS 1130) – The BC Liberals are accusing the provincial government of skirting the rule of law by trying to block the Kinder Morgan Trans Mountain pipeline as neighbouring Alberta threatens to shut off the oil taps if the expansion isn’t built.

Opposition leader Andrew Wilkinson called Premier John Horgan’s handling of the controversial $7.4 billion pipeline “reckless” for the economy and dangerous to the Canadian federation.

“What you have at the end of the day is a government and a Premier who have created uncertainty in the market place, who are ignoring the law,” Wilkinson said during the first question period since the legislature reconvened.

Kinder Morgan has suspended all non-essential spending and work on the pipeline project over worries of an uncertain future.

Other Liberals MLAs including Richmond-Queensborough Jas Johal and Surrey-Whiterock’s Tracy Redies accused the NDP of risking a trade war with Alberta, picking an unwinnable fight and telling investors they can’t trust the provincial government.

Horgan, however, brushed off the criticism as hyperbolic lip service, pointing to other failed pipeline projects which either didn’t make it to the federal approval process or were rejected by foreign leaders.

“It was not a crisis when Energy East went down, it was not a crisis when Keystone XL went down. One investment project does not an economy make,” Horgan said, adding his party will continue to contest the pipeline.

“And we’re not doing it with threats, intimidation. We’re not stomping out feet. We’re in court making the argument that British Columbia should have jurisdiction over our air, water and land and the risks are too great.”

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau repeated Monday that the pipeline has received federal approval, is in the national interest and will be built.

Alberta Premier Rachel Notley said her government is prepared to use taxpayer dollars to buy a stake in the pipeline expansion. Her party is also working to give her the powers to choke the flow of oil to B.C., which could send prices soaring at our pumps.

“To treat British Columbia differently than any other province in Canada is not only unlawful, it would be an extreme and inappropriate action,” B.C. Environment Minister George Heyman said.

Alberta previously banned B.C. wine imports into Alberta which was later rescinded.

Notley said her government has asked Ottawa to consider withholding $6.9 billion this fiscal year in health and social transfers.

Both Notley and Trudeau say they have spoken with Horgan by phone and impressed upon him the need for the pipeline which would triple the flow of oil flowing to the B.C. coast in Richmond from Alberta.