Pipeline, major projects shows Ottawa’s commitment to Alberta, Smith says

Skip to Content News Archives Economy Defence Energy Oil & Gas Renewables Electric Vehicles Mining Commodities Agriculture Real Estate Mortgages Mortgage Rates Finance Banking Insurance Fintech Cryptocurrency Defence Work Wealth Smart Money Wealth Management Investor Personal Finance Family Finance Retirement Taxes High Net Worth FP Comment Executive Women Puzzmo Newsletters Financial Times Business Essentials More Innovation Information Technology FP500 Podcasts Small Business Lives Told Tails Told Shopping Financial Post Store Obituaries Place a Notice Advertising Advertising With Us Advertising Solutions Postmedia Ad Manager Sponsorship Requests Classifieds Place a Classifieds ad Working Profile Settings My Subscriptions My Offers Newsletters Customer Service FAQ News Economy Energy Mining Real Estate Finance Defence Work Wealth Investor FP Comment Executive Women Puzzmo Newsletters Financial Times Business Essentials This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.HomeCommoditiesEnergyOil & GasPipeline, major projects shows Ottawa’s commitment to Alberta, Smith says'I think there is a genuine effort being made to meet Alberta in the middle and to try to find a path forward for both of us'Last updated 24 minutes ago Daneille Smith said the federal government’s decision to fast track the pipeline project shows a welcome change in perspective among those in Ottawa. Photo by David Bloom/PostmediaWith just a few days before Albertans vote on a separation referendum, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said burgeoning pipelines and other major commitments show Ottawa’s commitment to her province.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLYSubscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman, and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLESSubscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLESCreate an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountAlbertans head to the polls on Monday, where they will offer their opinion on 10 subjects ranging from changes to Canada’s constitution, abolishing the Senate, health care opt outs and immigration.This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.Most notably, however, is the question of whether Albertans want to remain part of Canada, or hold a binding referendum to leave.“We’re coming up on the final home stretch here,” Alberta Premier Danielle Smith told the Financial Post. “I voted. I voted to remain. I’ve been encouraging others who want to send a message to give us a strong mandate on the nine (other) government questions, but we really will be hearing from Albertans on Monday.”Polls have shown between 20 and 30 per cent of Albertans would vote to separate from Canada, not enough to be successful, but enough to send a strong message, Smith said.“I’m going to have to do a little bit more work, obviously,” she said. “The issues that we’ve addressed have not been sufficient to win that confidence back, but I think it means that myself and the prime minister are really going to have to do a lot more work.”Even those who vote to remain in Canada are not necessarily giving a ringing endorsement to the federal government, either, she added.“That’s not really a vote that everything’s hunky dory and there’s nothing to work on,” Smith said. “I think it’s a vote of confidence that things are headed in the right direction. That we’ve seen a change in the approach that the federal government has taken on a whole range of issues.”This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.Among the major issues is energy. The federal government recently announced it would fast track the proposed $44-billion Pacific Link pipeline by making it a project of national interest.Under the current ownership structure, Ottawa and Alberta will split 90 per cent of the pipeline, with Pembina Pipeline Corp. owning the remainder.“I think the federal government came to the conclusion that owning this kind of infrastructure was actually a pretty good investment for Canadian taxpayers and they wanted us to stay at the table with them until it is complete,” Smith said.Once complete, Pacific Link would carry up to one million barrels of oil every day from Alberta to the British Columbia coast. Prime Minister Mark Carney previously estimated the project would create 140,000 jobs and add $20 billion to Canada’s gross domestic product.Smith said the federal government’s decision to fast track the project shows a welcome change in perspective among those in Ottawa.“I think there is a genuine effort being made to meet Alberta in the middle and to try to find a path forward for both of us, as well as all of Canada,” she said. “I think that’s a positive change.”We apologize, but this video has failed to load.This advertisement has not loaded yet.Notice for the Postmedia NetworkThis website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more about cookies here. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.