Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe. Photo courtesy CBC.
The premier of the second largest oil-producing province in Canada says his government will be introducing a bill similar to Alberta in restricting oil and gas exports to B.C.
Saskatchewan’s Scott Moe says the proposed legislation is coming within days and would involve export permits on energy products.
The legislation is in line with the Alberta government’s proposed move to give its energy minister power to limit the export of crude oil, gas and natural gas.
Bill 12, titled ‘Preserving Canada’s Economic Prosperity Act’, will allow Alberta to retaliate against B.C. for any delays to the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion.
The Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP) says Saskatchewan is second to Alberta in the amount of oil produced among Canadian provinces, accounting for 13 per cent of production.
The CAPP also says 7.2 trillion cubic feet of natural gas is produced in Saskatchewan.
Moe says he is looking to the province’s opposition party to get behind the legislation, but NDP leader Ryan Meili is accusing Moe of political posturing.
Meili says the Kinder Morgan Trans Mountain pipeline expansion is a federal issue and the province should expect more leadership from Ottawa.
B.C. Attorney General David Eby says the province could sue Alberta if the legislation preferentially punishes B.C. and causes gas prices in the province to spike.
Alberta Premier Rachel Notley says it is not intended to punish B.C. for opposing the pipeline expansion, but rather sends a message Alberta is prepared to defend its resources.
Kinder Morgan suspended all non-essential spending on the $7.4 billion project earlier this month and has given the federal government until May 31 to assure the company that the pipeline will get finished without further delays.
With files from the Canadian Press.
Andy Neal
