The Government of Alberta is firing back after a recent move made by the NDP-Green Party Government in British Columbia.

Yesterday (January 30), the B.C. government announced plans to restrict bitumen shipments going to the province, essentially putting the future of the Trans Mountain Pipeline expansion in jeopardy. That pipeline was approved by the Federal Government last fall.

Alberta Premier Rachel Notley held an emergency cabinet meeting this afternoon (January 31) to discuss various legal and economic options they can take against the B.C. Government.

"We simply expect our fellow citizens to play by the rules and allow us to get a fair return on our products. The B.C. government is threatening to thumb its nose at this principle and for that, there needs to be consequences."

Notley went so far as to say they would take B.C. to court on the issue if a resolution is not found soon. She's also talked about economic actions including looking at the two provinces electricity trade. She and her party believe that the rules B.C. is trying to enforce are unconstitutional.

"The B.C. government took this action with no provocation and almost no warning. To call this a violation of the rules governing our confederation is an understatement. It is an attack on its very foundation."

Members of the opposition have also expressed their disapproval to the measures, including the Alberta Party, who said the B.C. decision could cause harm to the Canadian economy and have an adverse environmental impact.

 

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