City council to discuss taking bigger advocacy role to push for pipelines
The oil and gas crisis is estimated to be costing Alberta’s economy $15 billion a year.
Noting this, Red Deer city council will discuss taking a bigger role in lobbying federal and provincial governments for access to more energy markets.
Since Alberta is the centre of Canada’s energy industry, and the oil and gas industry is central to the local economy, council will be considering a resolution on Monday to take a bigger advocacy role in expressing “strong support” for new pipeline construction.
City council has already endorsed a letter from the Urban Municipalities Association urging Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to take action to advance the Trans Mountain Pipeline, which was stalled by a court decision last August. This letter was endorsed by most Alberta municipalities.
A report from the city’s administration states the City of Red Deer’s economic development objectives would be served “by participating positively in national energy discussions.” And City Manager Craig Curtis also supports city council’s advocacy for the Trans Mountain Pipeline.
In the report presented to council, several obstacles to the pipeline were identified.
Besides the federal Court of Appeal ruling, there’s also a proposed federal bill to replace the National Energy Board and develop a new impact assessment agency. There are concerns this could make the Canadian petroleum industry less competitive and increase investor uncertainty.
A proposed Tanker Moratorium Act seeks to restrict oil tanker movements on the West Coast because of a concern about spill potential.
lmichelin@reddeeradvocate.com
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