Ian Anderson, the president of Kinder Morgan Canada Ltd., called on Ottawa to step into the dispute over the company’s pipeline expansion project between Edmonton and Burnaby, B.C. “I have made it clear to both of them the interest of British Columbia are my responsibility, I take very seriously and I will be resolute in protecting the interest of this great province”.
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But while Stewart, Stupka and Cook all agreed B.C. wineries should not be used as pawns in a trade war between the two provinces, the three have different views about how B.C.is handling its side of the issue.
The Business Council of B.C. describes itself as a collaborative, non-partisan organization that compiles research on public policy issues to better inform government decision makers and British Columbian business leaders.
“In the coming days, the Government of Alberta will be monitoring the situation and preparing further action”.
By Thursday, there were already some empty spaces where B.C. wines should be on the shelves of Vintage Wine & Spirits in Grande Prairie.
In Victoria, Horgan said while he and Notley may both be New Democrats, that is a secondary consideration.
Provincial boycotts on exports other than liquor are much more complicated, he said. “You’ve seen the BC NDP battling the Alberta NDP over oil and transportation of that oil and it’s freaky to think that the premier of Alberta is actually looking out for British Columbians more than our own premier here in BC is”.
Collins was reacting to the B.C. government’s proposal to restrict increases in Alberta bitumen shipments until more studies on spill responses were completed, and said she is happy with Notley’s announcement.
Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe backed Alberta in its fight but he cautioned against additional trade measures that hurt consumers and private businesses.
Then late on Tuesday, Notley instructed the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission to immediately halt all imports of British Columbia wines. “Not almost as important as energy industry is to Alberta and Canada, but important nonetheless”.
“I think it’s going to affect related sectors, such as hospitality, bed and breakfasts, transportation, restaurants – many things that are associated with wine”, he said.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has maintained the project is in the national interest and that it will get built.
He said the province would not retaliate against the sanction, and shut down rumours of a possible boycott of Alberta beef. “If you put pressure on them, they can put pressure on their government”.
Stores and restaurants can still sell the bottles they already have, but no new B.C. wines will be brought into Alberta until the ban is lifted, said AGLC spokesperson Michelle Hynes-Dawson.
But for federal mediation to work, at least one of the two feuding NDP premiers would have to have a political incentive to meet the other part way.
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“As a country, we are trying to strike down domestic and global trade barriers and this decision moves us in the completely wrong direction”, Mark von Schellwitz, vice-president, Western Canada, said in a statement.
