No Oil Export Tax
Just for a moment, it looked like sanity had been restored.
The threat of US tariffs had led to the Liberals supporting oil and gas, the NDP supporting free trade, and even Quebec Premier François Legault supporting an LNG pipeline through Quebec!
But Mark Carney blew up all that progress in just two answers to the media.
Two answers in French, of course.
He wouldn’t dare say what he said in English.
Speaking to Radio-Canada (CBC in Quebec), Carney, who is now the clear frontrunner in the Liberal leadership race and so likely our next Prime Minister, perfectly encapsulated the divide his party has created in Canada.
When asked about whether he would retaliate to US tariffs by slapping an export tax on Alberta’s oil, Carney confirmed that was an option for him:
Interviewer: “If the (Alberta) Premier opposes imposing a surtax on oil, would you still impose a surtax on oil?
Carney: “Well, it’s an option.”
That’s right - Carney now wants to add yet another tax on Alberta’s oil.
(Remember - this is something that even Justin Trudeau categorically ruled out!)
But Mark Carney is now ruling it back in.
In fact, compare how dismissive he was of Alberta’s rights with how categorically he ruled out building a pipeline if the Quebec Premier opposed it:
Carney: “Poilievre spoke yesterday about Energy East, the pipeline project. He never mentioned Quebec, never mentioned the First Nations, never mentioned other provinces. He’s like an emperor, he decides everything.”
Interviewer: “So, you would never impose a pipeline on Quebec or other provinces?
Carney: “I would never impose it.”
Interviewer: “Never?”
Carney: “Never.”
Interviewer: “So, if the provinces say no, you won’t push through a pipeline?
Carney: “Absolutely!”
Interviewer: “You wouldn’t impose it?”
Carney: “Never in Quebec.”
In short - Carney thinks it’s totally fine for the federal government to infringe on Alberta’s jurisdiction.
But, not only will he never step on Quebec’s jurisdiction, he’ll actually let Quebec take over his, by giving them a veto on pipelines - something that’s clearly federal.
This is completely unacceptable.
Ottawa spent years shutting down opportunities for Alberta to diversify its export markets, blocking pipeline projects and catering to anti-energy activists.
Instead of allowing Alberta to sell its resources to the world, they forced our province into near-total reliance on the US market.
And now they want to put yet another tax on our oil exports when we try to send them to the only market they’ve allowed us to have.
Enough is enough.
We need to send a strong message: No Oil Export Tax!
So, please sign this petition to tell Mark Carney and the Liberals that they must disavow any plan to impose an export tax on Alberta’s energy exports.
Once you've signed, please forward this petition to your friends, family, and every Albertan!
Thank you,
- The Alberta Institute Team
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