By James Peters

Horgan brushes off Stone, Milobar attacks on Trans Mountain

Apr 10, 2018 | 11:32 AM

VICTORIA — The opposition Liberals hammered the NDP government in the BC Legislature’s question period today over a brewing trade war between BC and Alberta over the TransMountain pipeline expansion.

Alberta Premier Rachel Notley has expressed her frustration after Kinder Morgan halted all non-essential spending on the project, blaming BC’s obstruction tactics.

The two Kamloops MLAs were at the forefront of this morning’s question period attack, immediately following Opposition Leader Andrew Wilkinson with cutting questions of government ministers.

Kamloops-South Thompson MLA Todd Stone put forward the prospect of retaliatory meticulous inspections of BC’s transport trucks every time they enter Alberta.

“One demand being made in Alberta at the moment is imposing comprehensive inspections on 100 per cent of BC’s commercial vehicles entering or exiting Alberta. Has the [Minister of Transportation] considered what impact this action would have?”

Boogie The Bridge

Boogie The Bridge Event Information

Apr 19, 2024

One Man's Opinion

COLLINS: Sorry - did you say, 'Take your old guns to the post office?'

4h ago

SOUND OFF

SOUND OFF: Police confirm diversion of government-supplied drugs

23h ago

But Premier John Horgan intercepted all questions put toward his ministers, even if he didn’t directly address specific avenues Alberta is exploring to punish BC.

“We have not been thwarting due process. We have been issuing permits as they have been requested,” said Horgan. “All we have done is said that we would assert our rights and our jurisdiction to protect British Columbia’s economy and its environment. That’s what the people of this province expect us to do. Not to kowtow to another province or read headlines and dictate policies based on the whims of the Leader of the Official Opposition.”

Kamloops-North Thompson MLA Peter Milobar tried next, asking Environment Minister George Heyman to weigh in on Alberta’s threatened legislation to further punish BC.

“The government of Alberta is in the process of passing legislation that would allow it to cut off fuel supplies and impose serious economic consequences on British Columbia. Clearly, working British Columbians will be hurt as a result of these actions,” said Milobar.

Again, Horgan answered for his minister, brushing off the potential threat.

“We’ll await that legislation, but I am absolutely convinced that when it is tabled, it will be illegal. We have rules in Canada. We have the rule of law in Canada and I don’t understand the problem [the BC Liberals] have with this side of the house saying, ‘Let’s go to court to resolve these issues.’”