The Mayor of Bonnyville and the Premier of Alberta are both in Ottawa to talk oil and gas. Gene Sobolewski and Bonnyville Assistant Chief Administrative Officer Bill Rogers are both in the capital with the Coalition of Canadian Municipalities for Energy Action in resistance to Bill C-69. The group had previously met with Canadian senators on April 10th in Fort McMurray.
Meanwhile, Premier Jason Kenney is in Ottawa to testify to the Senate committee on the bill and speak with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Kenney says the legislation reads very anti-Albertan.
“Policies such as this, which constitute a direct attack on our economic interests. We Albertans are proud of what we do.”
The premier is calling for a major re-working of the bill that will see amendments such as less room for interference by federal ministers. He says as it stands the bill doesn’t help anyone, least of all the province.
“[Bill C-69] Completely misses the balance that we all know we need between environmental protection and economic development.”
Kenney is expected to sit down with the Prime Minister later Thursday.