It is a mammoth challenge, particularly here in B.C., where the B.C. government has been at odds with its federal counterpart over Enbridge’s Northern Gateway pipeline from the Alberta oilsands to the west coast.
Moore, MP for Port Moody-Westwood-Port Coquitlam, said he is looking forward to working with Premier Christy Clark and her caucus, many of whom he knows personally.
“This is a portfolio in which a lot of good people have done some very good work,” Moore said. “It brings a great deal of responsibility.”
Moore, formerly heritage minister, added that the appointment of five British Columbians shows B.C.’s importance “in the future agenda of our government.”
B.C. MPs joining Moore in cabinet are Kerry-Lynne Findlay (national revenue) and John Duncan (government whip). Retaining their posts are Ed Fast (international trade) and Alice Wong (minister of state for seniors).
Kathryn Harrison, a University of B.C. political science professor, said Moore’s promotion suggests Prime Minister Stephen Harper is hoping his senior B.C minister can secure provincial approval for Northern Gateway.
But Harrison said she doubts having a high-profile B.C. minister in the industry portfolio will be sufficient to pressure the premier to change her opinion on Northern Gateway.
“On the one hand, having a cabinet minister in B.C. in favour of the project could be a counterpoint but (Clark’s) position won’t change. It’s consistent with public opposition,” Harrison said. “But (Moore’s appointment) might give greater weight to having a local cabinet minister — instead of the prime minister or Joe Oliver (the Minister of Natural Resources) — speaking out in support of it.”
Moore pointed out that the Northern Gateway project is still going through the environmental process and awaiting final reports. The federal government agrees with the priorities Clark has set out, he added.
Those five provincial conditions include addressing aboriginal concerns, beefing up land and marine safety provisions and providing more economic benefits to British Columbians.
Shirley Bond, B.C. minister of jobs, tourism and skills training, said it will be helpful to have a British Columbian overseeing the pipeline issue, but agreed that it won’t change the province’s position.
“I think it always helps when we have strong British Columbia voices at the cabinet table. You need to have people who understand this province and the views of the people that live here. James has been a very strong voice in the past on a number of files, but we’ve been very clear about our principles and the premier has set the five expectations, those aren’t going to change no matter who the minister is,” she said.
Bond said she and Moore once attended the same political science class at the University of Northern B.C.
“Again, I think having a strong voice at the industry table is important and I look forward to working constructively with James and I’m sure other members of our caucus do as well.”
NDP MP Don Davies (Vancouver Kingsway) said nothing much in government is going to change with the new cabinet.
“It’s not a change in direction. It’s a change in spokespeople,” said Davies.
“James Moore is not a new face. He’s an old face. Generally we think this is a desperate attempt by Stephen Harper to pretend it’s a fresh cabinet, but in reality I don’t have any confidence that by changing portfolios they will be any more effective.”
Some of the key portfolios, such as finance and Treasury Board, didn’t see any change at all, Davies added.
“(Harper) left a government in June significantly tarnished. Backbenchers were criticizing his government and the Senate was awash in scandals that reach as high as the prime minister’s office. It’s so transparent. It (the cabinet shuffle) is reaching for any device that he can to put a new face on — this whole thing is a charade.”
The Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers issued a statement Monday congratulating all members of Harper’s cabinet and added it is looking forward to working with the relevant members for its industry.
”The main issues for oil and gas continue to be market access to Eastern Canada, Asia and the U.S Gulf Coast, continued improvement to industry’s environmental and social performance and the transparency of reporting that comes with it, and a stable, predictable fiscal and regulatory regime to ensure Canada remains competitive,” it said.
Original Article
Source: canada.com
Author: Kim PEMBERTON
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