Quote:
Originally Posted by Slava
OK, so lets hear what the plan should be? Given that the pipelines haven't been approved by the NEB, and they have to go through that process, what exactly would you like to see?
I know the answer that is coming is along the lines of "he should say he will definitely approve them." I actually think he is right in his approach to not wade into that before the NEB conducts their review though. If the pipelines are going to be rammed down peoples throats with no consultation, you will have other problems with implementation. I'm a pretty firm believer that if Northern Gateway was going to go forward with that kind of attitude you would have seen a Supreme Court challenge by the First Nations in BC. So yeah...maybe this process is going to take some time, but things that would take even longer. That doesn't even get to the point of blockades and all kinds of other civil disobedience and disruptions.
And lastly, his quote (which wasn't a direct quote by the way), does say something. It says we tried the other way for ten years and it didn't work. He is trying a different tact and thinks it will work. Seems straight-forward to me actually.
I might just be eternally optimistic that it will work. But really I hope that his tactics are successful in getting at least one if not more pipelines built. I think its long overdue, and if getting that done means some consultation and pacification then I'm more or less fine with that. Just find a way to get it done.
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Fine you want my plan
First of all, if I was prime minister, I would announce that on Monday, all Unemployment insurance benefits for Alberta and workers laid off from the Oil patch have been extended by a minimum of 6 months.
I would list the pipelines that are under review and set a firm date of a maximum of 18 months for the review. If we have to hire more people to do it, then I would do that.
I would also announce that anyone that is receiving funding from a out of Canada environmental group will not be allowed to participate, also we will only see Canadian based Environmental groups.
I would strongly announce that if it goes through the NEB process and is approved within that next 18 months that the Federal Government will not oppose it.
I would also remind Provincial and Municipal Governments that the transport of Canadian goods across provincial lines is a Federal matter and that we will do what's best for Canada Economically
I would declare a economic state of emergency and announce that whats good for Quebec is good for Alberta and would increase the joke of an emergency fund at $250 million will increase to a billion dollars to help the workers with retraining, relocation credits if it has to happen to find employment, and other programs.
I would release the funds slated for infrastructure spending as soon as the budget was released.
Then because I have a majority government I would suspend democracy and declare myself dictator for life.