Naheed Nenshi, Leader of Alberta’s NDP, issued the following statement:

“Alberta now has some forward movement in building Canada’s energy future. This is good news, and necessary. But now Danielle Smith has to get to work, in an increasingly difficult environment of her own creation.

“Alberta has a great opportunity: to provide the world with safe, clean, effective energy while meaningfully combating climate change.

“Alberta is now exactly where it was when the UCP took power, at the starting line to get things built. It’s a shame we’ve wasted seven years fighting with Ottawa, but it’s time to move forward now.

“Major projects require partnerships. Getting a pipeline built means partnerships with industry, stakeholders, local communities, and most crucially Indigenous peoples.

“The challenge is that these partnerships don’t exist now after so much bad behaviour from Alberta’s government. The Pathways project, essential to getting any agreement done, remains far from completion. And of course, this is the first Premier in Alberta history to face a motion of non-confidence from all First Nations in Alberta. Some B.C. First Nations have said there is no path to ‘yes.’

“This all plays out against the background of the separatist mess created by this premier. Business needs stability and certainty. Who is going to invest billions of dollars in a pipeline if they don't even know what country that pipeline will be in, or if such a pipeline has to cross international borders? This political instability has real consequences for real people.

“There is a better way to get not just pipelines built but also to support Alberta and Canada’s energy industries in creating great jobs now and in the future. That’s why we are proud to have released our plan, Building Canada’s Energy Future. It will get stuff done. And that’s what Albertans need.”

Relevant links:

Building Alberta's Energy Future: Nenshi Unveils First Look at Alberta's New Democrats’ Energy Policy