A diverse group of Canadian politicians spoke with a clear message of unity supporting oil and gas at a huge Calgary rally on Tuesday.
An estimated 4,000 people attended the rally outside the Global Petroleum Show, where Fort St. John Mayor Lori Ackerman, Quebec Conservative MP Gérard Deltell, Ontario Energy Minister Greg Rickford, Alberta Energy Minister Sonya Savage, BC Liberal MLA Ellis Ross, and Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe spoke about their support for responsible resource development and against the federal government’s “devastating” bills C-48 and C-69.
At the event, organized by Canada Action and Rally 4 Resources, S avage reiterated the Alberta government’s intention to immediately launch constitutional challenges if C-69 is passed in “anything like” its original form, or if C-48 is passed at all.
Both pieces of legislation, which, respectively would overhaul the approval process for major projects and ban oil tanker traffic on the B.C. north coast, are “devastating” for the industry and “arbitrary in nature,” speakers said.
BC MLA Ross said the bills are an attack on Alberta.
“The fight against Alberta, is the fight against Canada. It doesn’t make any sense,” he said.
“The majority of Canadians want oil and gas. They understand the future is still in oil and gas, regardless of what happens with renewables. In fact, you need oil and gas for renewable industries. It’s our shame that our leaders want a resource-rich country like Canada to go down the toilet for political ideologies.”
Last week the Senate passed Bill C-48, as well as Bill C-69, albeit the latter with more than 180 amendments. Both bills still have to be approved by the House of Commons.
Ottawa’s vote on whether to approve the Trans Mountain Expansion is expected by June 18.
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