Breakenridge: Federal investment in major projects beneficial as long as there's no resulting revenue grab |
Despite missed deadlines on the Alberta-Ottawa memorandum of understanding, and despite scant evidence of a government moving at a “speed and scale not seen in generations,” there is still reason for optimism when it comes to a more sensible federal approach toward the energy sector.
The MOU itself is evidence of that. Last month’s announcement of federal approval for Enbridge’s $4-billion natural gas pipeline expansion project in B.C. further underscores the point. The same can be said of recent comments from the federal natural resources minister, who confidently predicted that up to 10 new major natural resource projects would be underway by this time next year.
But while we should welcome Ottawa’s embrace of the need for these kinds of projects, it appears we need to be on guard when it comes to protecting provincial jurisdiction. Federal approvals should not be an excuse to try to squeeze additional revenue from these projects.
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