It has been very interesting to follow the political firestorm surrounding the Keystone XL discussion. On both sides, there have been passionate debates, embittered demonstrations on both sides of the border, and almost hot-air-powered rancorous diatribes that we have scarcely seen in this country since John A. pushed the railroad through.
While the economic benefits of the XL pipeline are non-debatable, we have to ask what other costs have not been counted. The environmental costs will be extreme, and paid by future generations, not us today.
The land use issues are monumental, and have seemingly been swept aside by the various governmental groups. Land use groups have universally declared the routes dangerous, irresponsible and self serving.
Some groups have gone as far (gasp) as to suggest an Albertan facility to refine fuel. Others have suggested shipments to China via the railway. All good suggestions, with valid points, but I think they miss the point here.
Alberta has already thumbed our political nose at B.C., and here we are, ready to do that to Saskatchewan. I saw a graphic depicting the existing XL pipeline route to the States, and guess what? We already have a pipeline to the refinery.
It’s true. One problem with it though, it runs through Saskatchewan — not Alberta. So, instead of passing any economic benefits to Albertans, our neighbours to the east gain.
In short, the new XL pipeline route pays homage to the fact that Alberta is king, and B.C. and Saskatchewan are pretenders. Nothing else. Our tax regime is the best and bound to benefit cash-starved, spending-it-faster-than-we-make-it Alberta.
If we, as a country, are to serve each other, this should not be a debate. The line exists.
Is this another test of big business successfully lobbying the wide open Oilberta government? I would suggest it is, and perhaps this is setting the tone for more exports.
What a dangerous door we are opening. May we be prudent with our resources and tough with our leaders. We do deserve better.
Tim Lasiuta
Red Deer