Alberta powerbrokers throw lifeline to B.C. premier as threat of tougher pipeline fight from NDP looms

Relations between Alberta and British Columbia have been poor recently because of disagreements over the controversial Northern Gateway pipeline, but that’s not stopping some of Alberta’s energy and political powerbrokers from throwing a lifeline to Christy Clark’s struggling Liberal government.

While Alberta would like to see British Columbia get behind proposed oil pipelines to the West Coast, the prospect of an NDP government under Adrian Dix that could make those projects even more challenged is so frightening they have quietly organized a fundraiser for B.C. Liberals in Calgary.

To be held Thursday, more than 100 will hear speeches by Rich Coleman, B.C.’s energy minister, and Bill Bennett, minister for community sport and cultural development and a key player in Premier Clark’s election bid.

The West Coast province is holding a provincial election May 14 and polls have consistently shown the NDP will win by a landslide.

It’s not a promising scenario for energy companies planning billions in energy investment.

Playing to his green and union base, Mr. Dix is opposed to the Northern Gateway pipeline proposed by Enbridge Inc., has been vague about the expansion of the TransMountain oil pipeline proposed by Kinder Morgan, and wants tougher environmental regulation.

He has also promised corporate tax hikes and the elimination of balanced-budget legislation.

Ms. Clark’s re-election is so uncertain that Liberal supporters, led by former forestry executive Jim Shepard, have launched a $1-million privately funded advertising campaign to back the continuation of her “free-enterprise government.”

In Calgary, the private event is organized by oil industry leader Murray Edwards, chairman of Canadian Natural Resources Ltd.; Morten Paulsen, a Calgary public relations consultant, and Rod Love, a political strategist and commentator.

A portion of the funds will be used to support a swing riding where many Albertans have vacation homes — Columbia River-Revelstoke.

“An NDP government in B.C. poses a number of different risks for Albertans. The possibility of pipelines being delayed or cancelled altogether is a huge risk for the energy sector. But there are other risks, for example, for people who have property in B.C. Nobody wants to see an NDP government that is fundamentally anti-free enterprise.”

When asked in Vancouver Wednesday whether it’s common practice for B.C. Liberals to do fundraisers in Alberta, Ms. Clark said her party is not the only one.

“I think that you might be surprised at the political stripes of politicians in British Columbia who go to Alberta and do fundraisers,” she told reporters. “I understand that the Opposition has been doing some of that as well. So yes, it has happened in many elections across the province.”

Michael Prince, a professor of social policy at the University of Victoria, said many British Columbians have made up their minds about supporting Mr. Dix and it will be hard for B.C. Liberals to change that.

Ms. Clark scored some points when she flew to Calgary last year to lay out a series of conditions to Alberta premier Alison Redford in exchange for B.C.’s approval of Northern Gateway, including a more equitable sharing of the risks and the benefits, he said. But that was short-lived and there was little follow-up, typical of government.

After a short honeymoon, Ms. Clark wore the harmonized sales tax (HST) fiasco that she inherited from her predecessor, Gordon Campbell, Mr. Prince said.

“The HST is still the elephant in the room,” he said. “Besides liberalism and socialism, there is that bizarre populism in B.C. about taking governments down a few notches, and oil companies are the guys to kick in the shins, too.”

Original Article
Source: financial post
Author: Claudia Cattaneo