Quote:
Originally Posted by ThePrince
The key is in this portion of your quote. You're assuming the above is a necessary assumption in your argument, when the entire argument is actually based on this.
The whole crux of the issue is that everyone agrees that "building a pipeline in todays climate is risky and expensive", but you can't just accept this as an unchangeable fact. It's definitely self-inflicted and Canada could be doing so much more to help bolster investor sentiment in the expense and risk profiles, rather than whatever the #### it is we've seen the last 10 years.
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I dont accept it as an unchangeable fact, but its certainly not an easily changeable fact. Cost of materials, cost of land, Provincial opponents looking at their own bottom line, environmental assessments. These all need to be reduced - not easy.
I propose two alternatives, free market and Government intervention (perhaps there is a third, PPP).
My issue was with the original assertion that we are where we are based on government / regulatory regimes of the past 20 years. I merely proposed the free market is also at blame - albeit because they merely chose the cheapest solutions which was increased US trade.
TMX expansion was a good step, and something I do not oppose the government doing - as long as they don't choose to sell the pipeline off for pennies and actually bring in cash.
NDP also had the same idea for Oil by Rail contracts that were cancelled or sold off by Kenney (i can admit my knowledge on these agreements is limited)