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More measures likely coming against B.C., poll shows Canadians split over pipeline spat

“We will fight them in courts, we’ll fight them in tribunals, and we’ll fight them wherever we need to.”

Strong words from Alberta’s Minister of Economic Development and Trade Deron Bilous as the pipeline battle with British Columbia drags on.

Bilous says the message is getting through in B.C., but a new Angus Reid poll shows Canadians are split, half support Alberta’s position and half support B.C.’s position.

When broken down by province, an overwhelming 82 per cent of Albertans support the NDP position. In B.C. it’s much closer, only 58 per cent support their government’s attempts to block the Trans Mountain Pipeline expansion.

“They’ve had a full week of the wine ban,” said Bilous about B.C. “Meanwhile, our (oil) producers have been waiting for years for a new pipeline to tidewater.”

He said the country has missed out on $100 billion selling oil at a discount price to one buyer, the United States, as opposed to other international markets, adding it works out to about $1.8 billion annually for Alberta.

He maintained this project is in the national interest and one province does not have the authority to shut it down.

Bilous explained the wine ban is just a start and the province is planning more measures against B.C.

“I can’t tell you today, right now, when those will be announced,” he said, but he quickly added the B.C. and federal governments have days not weeks to sort it out.

He said the only way Alberta will back off is if B.C. smartens up.

“They have no jurisdiction and no authority to try and limit what goes in a pipeline, that is a federal jurisdiction, so they need to quit holding Alberta hostage and quit holding Canadians hostage,” said Bilous.

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