Notley talks Energy East, Nenshi vs. Kenney and more

Talks between Alberta and Ontario over the Energy East pipeline are positive according to Premier Rachel Notley.

Following a meeting with Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne Thursday, Notley told reporters the two had a very good discussion and about energy infrastructure as a whole.

“I made the case that the ability to diversify our markets for the energy industry in Alberta is not only good for the energy industry in Alberta, but it’s good for the Canadian economy as a whole,” she said. “We talked about how we could reframe the debate so that we’re able to talk about the specific economic and environmental merits of a pipeline, as opposed to a whole bunch of other stuff.”

Notley also mentioned Wynne will be leading a business mission of her own in Alberta in the months to come.

“It appears it’s been at least six or seven years since a premier from Ontario has come on an inter-provincial trade mission to Alberta bringing businesses with them,” she said. “So we’ll be having our officials work together to gather up businesses and to have them come to Alberta so they can learn about the many investment opportunities that exist.”

Notley was also asked about Kinder Morgan pipeline and what leads her to believe that Delta would be a good end point for the project.

She said her focus will continue to be making better decisions about the economic and environment merits of any project.

“I’m not the operator of the pipeline, so I’m going to let those people make their decisions about the path that they want to take, but ultimately I do believe that it is in the best interest of all Canadians that we find a way to get a pipeline to tidewater,” she said.

– Niqab issue

Notley also weighed in briefly on the current online spat between Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi and Conservative cabinet minister Jason Kenney regarding debate over the niqab.

Nenshi criticized the Conservatives during a radio interview Wednesday, saying it’s a dangerous and politically-motivated move that’s also wasting taxpayers money, as the party has pledged to take the matter to the Supreme Court.

Back in September, the Federal Court of Appeal upheld a ruling against the government policy of banning face coverings during citizenship ceremonies.

On Thursday however, Kenney said Nenshi and “people like him” were politicizing the issue and doesn’t think it should be one of contention.

Notley was asked if she had any concerns over how the Conservatives have handled the issue.

While she said she didn’t want to fire up the debate even more, she admitted she did have concerns.

“I’m disappointed and troubled to see minority rights issues becoming political footballs in the election and I don’t think that’s helpful,” she said.

Among other topics, Notley said the government hopes to have someone to replace outgoing Senior Representative to the United States, Rob Merrifield, very soon, after he was ousted by the NDP a day ago.

As for TransAlta agreeing to pay $56 million for price fixing, Notley said they will let the Alberta Utilities Commission evaluate the situation independently.