Reboot Alberta

Saturday, September 27, 2008

Harper Takes on Alberta's Natural Resource Rights Over Oil Sands.

I like what the Sudbury Star has to say in its Editorial Today. Isn't this supposed to be Deep Blue Harper country? People are catching on to Harper, taking a second look and realizing he can't be trusted.

As for bring a steady hand on the economy in uncertain times, he blew that in Calgary on Friday. He created enormous uncertainty in the Alberta oilsands sector with his no bitumen export sales unless he says so. This is a direct interference in Alberta's Constitutinal right of control over natrual resources.

It is not just an Alberta issue since the oilsands are the only thing driving the Canadian economy these days. Remember 60% of all Canadian oilsands activity and money happens outside Alberta. Everyone will suffer from the inevitable economic declines adn increased political uncertainty due to Harper's interference in the marketplace. Some free trader he has turned out to be.

3 comments:

  1. Anonymous6:09 pm

    Ken, as we all in Alberta know, it is Dion that would implement a massive and permanent carbon tax which would disproportionately hurt Alberta and its oil industry. As long as Harper does not do that, he is a better option for us than Dion.

    You liberals should be focusing on the economic issues of today rather than having a scattered message. I mean, it is now a competition between Dion and Layton for leader of the opposition in a conservative majority - you'd better work hard!

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  2. Ken;

    I read elsewhere today that the bitumen announcement was actually a non-announcement since the crowd he delivered it to knows he can't follow through so they aren't worried but the audience he was aiming for nationally might actually believe the words he spoke. In other words, typical Harper doublespeak.

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  3. We need clarification. Did he mean bitumen or heavy oil/ synthetic crude?

    Making it hard for companies to export bitumen will increase the amount that is upgraded here in Alberta.

    Harper's actually providing a boon to the industry. Right now, there are 4 upgraders in Fort Sask that are paused, waiting for more certainty. They are on pause while companies figure out whether or not they can ship the bitumen to the US and then upgrade it into oil down south.

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