The Government of Alberta has taken another stand in their ongoing pipeline battle with B.C. by introducing Bill 12.

The Bill which was tabled yesterday (Bill 12) states that any individual or corporation who requires oil products shipped out of the province must acquire a license directly from the Energy Minister.

Premier Rachel Notley announces Bill 12 with her fellow MLAs yesterday (Photo Courtesy: Government of Alberta)

The move comes a day after Premier Rachel Notley met with B.C. Premier John Horgan and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau with no resolution in sight for the dispute over the Trans Mountain Pipeline extension.

Notley says it’s still irritating to see Premier Horgan continue to fight for something he can’t change and it will only hurt the country.

“The reality is, we cannot in this country go forward in a way that allows one veto to shut down every national project. It’s not going to go well for us.”

Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe announced similar legislation from his cabinet while Horgan and the B.C. NDP are threatening lawsuits against the bill.

Despite the ongoing battle, Notley says that Bill 12 is the best way to protect Alberta’s resources.

“At the end of the day, here's what’s going on: we are getting close to full pipeline capacity. Depending on which product at which time goes into which pipeline or onto rail, we can make decisions that can actually amplify the return that we get here in the Province of Alberta.”

The Bill, however, isn’t sitting well with opposition members. In a statement, Liberal Leader David Khan said the bill was undemocratic and that it would push the price of gasoline in B.C to over $2 a litre, which might bring further backlash to Alberta.

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