Politics can be a four-letter word, last week’s was ugly
OTTAWA—Politics can be a four-letter word. Last week that word was ugly. Political disputes between Alberta and British Columbia and the opening salvos of the Ontario election left most spectators wondering how low politics could go. The Western oil fight is particularly ugly because it involves two provinces whose leaders ostensibly share the same political […]
Pipeline debate resonates with politicians more than it does with voters, so far
It is rare that a single issue costs a federal ruling party its re-election. Based on the latest poll to measure the impact of the ongoing pipeline crisis on the political fortunes of its various protagonists, the fate of the Trans Mountain expansion is unlikely to alone determine that of Justin Trudeau’s Liberals in next […]
‘Crystal clear’ feds have jurisdiction on $7.4-billion Trans Mountain pipeline: here’s how they could ‘reinforce’ it
There’s no doubt that the federal government has authority to approve the Trans Mountain pipeline, says a pair of constitutional lawyers, and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s promised legislation to “reinforce” that right could sweep aside any British Columbia laws or regulations obstructing the pipeline. “The B.C. government campaigned on a promise they can’t keep, they […]
Jobs, carbon tax angles could make Trans Mountain a winner for Conservatives: Nanos
The federal Conservatives can make political hay of the stalled Trans Mountain pipeline if they continue to frame the issue in terms of lost jobs and tie it to the carbon tax, say political observers. Conservative leader Andrew Scheer (Regina-Qu’Appelle, Sask.) has unsurprisingly used the political squabbling and uncertain status around the pipeline project to […]
B.C. Liberal MPs tout environmental measures in Trans Mountain talks with constituents, but opposition MPs say Grits to ‘absolutely’ lose support in 2019
British Columbia Liberal MPs say they’re touting environmental investments and protections brought in by the Liberal government for the $7.4-billion Trans Mountain pipeline expansion project with constituents, with some suggesting their voters are split roughly 50-50 over the issue. But outspoken pipeline opponents NDP MP Kennedy Stewart (Burnaby South, B.C.) and Green Party Leader Elizabeth […]
Trudeau puts it all on the line for a pipeline that’s unlikely to be built
OTTAWA—On the evening of July 25, 2010, an oil pipeline owned by Enbridge Inc. ruptured near Marshall, Mich. During the 17 hours it took for the company to turn off the flow, more than three million litres of crude from Canada’s oilsands made its way into the Kalamazoo River. The discharge of diluted bitumen—heavy tarsands […]
Kinder Morgan project a test of Trudeau’s competency, puts his 18 B.C. seats at risk, say pollsters
Whether Prime Minister Justin Trudeau gets the Kinder Morgan pipeline project built, as he says he will, voters will judge as a test of his competency, say pollsters. And the stakes are high, with the Liberals’ 18 seats in British Columbia at risk. Much of his credibility is bound up in his ability keep the project his […]
Trudeau’s problem is he can’t cut a deal
OTTAWA—Right now, Justin Trudeau has a deal problem. Specifically, the prime minister hasn’t really closed a significant major trade or pipeline project of his making thus far in his mandate. Even his climate change plan is in potential jeopardy as new provincial actors appear on the scene bearing down for a big racket with the […]
Can the PM move Mountains?
Notwithstanding Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s decision to double down on the expansion of the Trans Mountain pipeline, the plan faces the same hurdles today as it did before he hauled the feuding premiers of Alberta and British Columbia to Parliament Hill for a meeting. The federal bid to take a financial stake in the project […]
Pipeline conflict tests Trudeau’s tenets
OAKVILLE, ONT.—If nothing else, the current pipeline dispute pitting British Columbia against Alberta has exposed the basic weakness of “Trudeauology.” In case you’re wondering, “Trudeauology” is my name for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s unique brand of political philosophy, a philosophy which stresses optimism, platitudes and photo ops. And by the way, when I say that, […]
