Notley’s Kamloops appearance stresses Trans Mountain goal

Oct 31, 2018 | 1:49 PM

KAMLOOPS —Trans Mountain was the focus of the Alberta Premier’s address in Kamloops today.

Premier Rachel Notley spoke to United Steelworkers in Kamloops this morning, Oct. 31, stressing the benefits that would come with the proposed pipeline expansion.

While the message highlighted the economic and environmental progress Alberta has already made, Notley pointed to the potential impact on B.C’s economy with the twinning of the Trans Mountain pipeline.

“At last estimate here in Kamloops, where I stand today, this pipeline will lead to more than $400 million of construction activity. It will mean $2.8 million in tax revenue every year, and $42 million of workforce spending during construction in the local economy.”

While herself and B.C Premier John Horgan disagree on the Kinder Morgan venture, Notley says the project is currently in the hands of the National Energy Board adjudicators.

“Its not really a matter in the scope of decision making for the provincial government quite honestly,” Notley explains, “so we’re here to talk to British Columbians, so that they can hear both sides of the story here, because this really is about supporting good, mortgage-paying jobs for working British Columbians.”

The project has been halted since the Federal Court of Appeal ruled in August that more consultations between First Nations and the Federal Government were needed, along with more study into the marine impact of increased tanker traffic. 

Notley notes, the discussion around the pipeline firstly needs to spread beyond corporate or government boardrooms, and into the daily lives of Canadians.

“So that regular British Columbians can get the facts, and consider whether or not they think this is a good thing for the economy,” she says, “and the second piece, of course, is that our view is that it’s not a matter of economy versus environment. If we are going to support the monumental progress that Albertans have made on the environment and combating climate change, we need to be able to also pair that with good, solid jobs.”

Playing host for the Premier’s message today was the United Steelworkers Union, which backed her message of support for the Trans Mountain Expansion.

USW Western Canada Director, Stephen Hunt was glad to have Notley make an appearance in Kamloops. 

“I’m enthralled with what she said, she talked to workers in language that all workers understand,” he says. “The importance of our pipeline, especially to get our oil to other destinations rather than losing money having it go to the United States, as she says, it’s dumb not to do it.”

The steelworkers have a busy agenda today, also heading out to walk the picket lines with striking BCGEU workers at Cascades Casino.