Breakenridge: Supporting federalism is the only way Alberta can be a partner in LNG exports – Calgary Herald

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In January 2020, in the aftermath of a significant court ruling in support of the Coastal GasLink pipeline, B.C. Premier John Horgan (of all people) declared, this project is proceeding and the rule of law needs to prevail in B.C.

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The Coastal GasLink pipeline is a crucial component of the massive LNG Canada project. And indeed, without the rule of law, there are no such mega-projects.

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The recent Canadian visit by Germanys chancellor has once again put the spotlight on the need for Europe to reduce its reliance on Russian natural gas and the need for Canada to be a global player when it comes to liquefied natural gas exports.

While the LNG Canada project helps us tap into the tremendous global demand, it is the only such project under construction in this country. The current global situation represents a missed opportunity for this country and, hopefully, we wont make the same mistake again.

So at this important crossroad, does it really make sense for Alberta to be an obstacle? Do we really want to undermine the very constitutional and legal order necessary for such mega-projects to proceed? If one of Albertas chief complaints is the lack of energy infrastructure in this country, it hardly helps our cause or our credibility to be a part of the problem.

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Alberta obviously does not and cannot export LNG. Our vast supplies of natural gas are a huge advantage, but the liquefaction, storage, loading and shipping must happen elsewhere. We need partners and we need to be a partner.

Politicians, policies and red tape are to blame for our status quo, not the Constitution or federalism itself. Yet, Alberta seems poised to take a blowtorch to the one part of this whole mess that hasnt let us down.

In the case of Coastal GasLink, the B.C. Supreme Court ruled against an attempt to reject federal law and jurisdiction. That decision much like the court decision upholding federal jurisdiction over the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion was rightly celebrated here in Alberta. Its certainly not in our interests to legitimize or normalize the notion that such laws or jurisdiction can be nullified.

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Canada isnt broken; its just suffering from an absence of vision and smart policy. Case in point was the prime ministers bizarre comment last week about a lack of a business case for East Coast LNG exports, which flies in the face of the numerous attempts by industry to proceed with such projects.

Its not just a business case, either. As outgoing Premier Jason Kenney recently noted, Canada can help the world reduce CO2 emissions by expanding (LNG) exports, helping the rest of the world move away from coal power. And we can help Europe end its addiction to Putins energy exports.

Too many in Alberta have mistakenly conflated the failures of our current federal government into an indictment of federalism or the Constitution. Mind you, if a snap fall election produced a Conservative government led by Pierre Poilievre, most of this talk about nullification and constitutional upheaval would quickly fall by the wayside. In the meantime, though, were treading on potentially dangerous and harmful ground.

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A recent report from the Public Policy Forum makes a strong case for decisive action, declaring that There is no reason for Canadians to feel tentative or apologetic about our gas if it helps solve global problems on the way to a net-zero world and beyond This is truly one of those times when the world does need more Canada.

More Canada first requires a shift in federal policy, but its a dead end if we allow the rule of law and constitutional order to be undermined.

So which is actually in Albertas best interests: decisive federal leadership or jurisdictional and constitutional uncertainty and chaos? We cannot have it both ways.

Afternoons with Rob Breakenridge airs weekdays 12:30-3 p.m. on 770CHQR and 2-3 p.m. on 630CHED rob.breakenridge@corusent.com Twitter: @RobBreakenridge

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Breakenridge: Supporting federalism is the only way Alberta can be a partner in LNG exports - Calgary Herald