Re: 鈥淩ising gas prices heighten simmering pipeline dispute,鈥� column, May 2.
Oil has a bad reputation, from production to consumption. Alberta and Canada suffer globally over bitumen brand deficit.
If Alberta wants B.C.鈥檚 co-operation, Alberta needs to refine its crude. Period. B.C. will not further despoil itself for Albertan gain. Never mind 91原创. B.C. would separate from both, if necessary.
Beholden to Big Oil more than to Albertans, Premier Jason Kenney ignores bitumen鈥檚 bite. As did another politician I debated who, when I asked for his investment holdings, ceased debate, Kenney cannot sustain his line.
Peter Lougheed finally accepted Pierre Trudeau鈥檚 National Energy Program. Had it been implemented, Canada today would be like Norway, not Nigeria.
For the time that remains to the oil economy, best practice must prevail.
Alberta has two choices: Refine the crude or leave it in the ground. Simple as that.
The rest of Canada suffers enough bad repute over the oilsands to want more.
David Heinimann
Victoria
