Alberta Politics Thread v2

[woob]

Originally Posted by Dion

The letters Kenney sent to CP and CN

https://twitter.com/user/status/1098633882595778560

El oh el. I'm going to put these next to my framed health care guarantee! Oh the joys of campaign time.

[Fuzz]

Thursday that a rule allows him to appoint up to four candidates

Is that the grassroots type of thing they have been bleating on about for so long? Nice rule you wrote in, there.

[Slava]

To be honest, I’m a little concerned that Jason Kenney isn’t clear on what he’s running do. I got a pre-writ survey from a campaign and half of the questions are federal. It concludes with “Do you think Justin Trudeau understands and appreciates Western Canadian values?”

It’s going to be a landslide victory for him, pretty clearly, but then what? He’s concerned about pipelines and equalization and things like that, which is fine and all, but maybe he should have stayed as an MP where he could work on those projects?

[White Out 403]

Originally Posted by Dion

The letters Kenney sent to CP and CN

https://twitter.com/user/status/1098633882595778560

Brutal.

[SebC]

Kenney has no mandate to attempt to undermine the legitimate work of the elected government in such a manner. Notley is the Premier until she isn't. Kenney's job is to oppose her in the parliament, not to go to third parties to impede her. Even if you agree with him, this is really bad behaviour for a "public servant".

[Travis Munroe]

Originally Posted by SebC

Kenney has no mandate to attempt to undermine the legitimate work of the elected government in such a manner. Notley is the Premier until she isn't. Kenney's job is to oppose her in the parliament, not to go to third parties to impede her. Even if you agree with him, this is really bad behaviour for a "public servant".

Reading many of these comments and I find myself in a different boat.

- I expect more of his campaigning and platform to come once an election is actually called.... the ball is entirely in Notleys court and the majority of this province would prefer that an election already be called yet she continues to hold out and pull off some last minute stunts for support.

- Let's call a spade a spade, Notley did absolutely nothing for o&g, in fact went as far as going against oil and gas when first elected. All of a sudden her back is against the wall with the clock ticking and she is pulling out every stop possible to look like she is fighting? How come people have such short memories?

- I actually don't mind 2018 /19 Notley but I also take a politician for more of who they are in the early years than when they will go against their own beliefs just to be reelected.

- If with this railcar idea was so brilliant, why hasn't it been done yet? (on a government level as it has been done on a private level and failed) Why isn't O&G paying for it with a government subsidy? It screams of a desperation move to show how dedicated the NDP is to O&G at a time when they need people to forget the past.


Someone who is following this more than I,
a) are the margins not already extremely thin with little to no room for error for this extra rail transit to actually make sense?
b) is there are proof or past documentation to support Kenneys idea that Notley is paying too much or are we waiting on Kenney to release his logic on this statement?

[Fuzz]

Originally Posted by Travis Munroe

Reading many of these comments and I find myself in a different boat.

- I expect more of his campaigning and platform to come once an election is actually called.... the ball is entirely in Notleys court and the majority of this province would prefer that an election already be called yet she continues to hold out and pull off some last minute stunts for support.

- Let's call a spade a spade, Notley did absolutely nothing for o&g, in fact went as far as going against oil and gas when first elected. All of a sudden her back is against the wall with the clock ticking and she is pulling out every stop possible to look like she is fighting? How come people have such short memories?

- I actually don't mind 2018 /19 Notley but I also take a politician for more of who they are in the early years than when they will go against their own beliefs just to be reelected.

- If with this railcar idea was so brilliant, why hasn't it been done yet? (on a government level as it has been done on a private level and failed) Why isn't O&G paying for it with a government subsidy? It screams of a desperation move to show how dedicated the NDP is to O&G at a time when they need people to forget the past.


Someone who is following this more than I,
a) are the margins not already extremely thin with little to no room for error for this extra rail transit to actually make sense?
b) is there are proof or past documentation to support Kenneys idea that Notley is paying too much or are we waiting on Kenney to release his logic on this statement?

Just on these 2 points...I disagree that this is a last minute thing. Sure, the royalty review was ill timed, but she had campaigned on it. It was the wrong thing to do at that time though. Other than that? She has been going to bat for Alberta oil ever since.



The reason companies haven't done the rail thing to this extent(there are several private companies hipping by rail currently) is that it doesn't make sense for one company to do it. The goal is to raise the value which, to the government, has unique benefits through increased taxation, jobs, royalties, increased drilling and extraction etc. Only a government could benefit in this way. I don't think it is a bad move, but it is certainly a gamble. It could pay off.

[V]

Originally Posted by SebC

Kenney has no mandate to attempt to undermine the legitimate work of the elected government in such a manner. Notley is the Premier until she isn't. Kenney's job is to oppose her in the parliament, not to go to third parties to impede her. Even if you agree with him, this is really bad behaviour for a "public servant".

I’m pretty sure this is all in response to Notley campaigning on the government dime before the election is called. If she wants to pre-campaign I guess he should too. It gives us a couple extra weeks of election fun.

[GGG]

Rail costs around $20 per barrel pipeline around 10. So provided WTI is about $50 there is money to be made on rail.

Companies have been increasing rail capacity. Cenovous recently committed to it.

The problem is a Prisoners dilemma. If I ship by rail I pay $20 per barrel. If you ship by rail I pay $10 to ship by pipe. So I am incentivized to ship as little by rail as possible. This means when CP and CN require long term commitments to ship it doesn’t make sense to lock in. However when total takeaway capacity is less than production the diff rises to what you saw in November/December.

So while the dilemma still exists with a government rail if they become the swing shipper which should reduce the risk of the diff crashing.

The other question of why no private sector entity as become a rail shipper is that they aren’t currently protected the way the pipelines are. The common carrier pipelines have gurenteed rates whether or not fluid is flowing through them based on a cost plus Investment return model. If such a system existed for rail capacity you would likely see companies exist to do this. The other issue with private investment in trains is that they can get undermined by a pipeline and made not profitable. In that case the government is insulated by increased royalties from a reduced diff.

I hope that makes sense. As to the deal being better or worse than typical I’m not sure there is enough info to make that decision. I suspect this is a ploy by Kenny knowing that the details of the commercial contract likely can’t be made public.

You could benchmark against the 3 yr deal signed by cenovous for 100k barrels if you had details to both.

https://www.cenovus.com/news/news-re...ulf-coast.html

[Travis Munroe]

Originally Posted by Fuzz

Just on these 2 points...I disagree that this is a last minute thing. Sure, the royalty review was ill timed, but she had campaigned on it. It was the wrong thing to do at that time though. Other than that? She has been going to bat for Alberta oil ever since.



The reason companies haven't done the rail thing to this extent(there are several private companies hipping by rail currently) is that it doesn't make sense for one company to do it. The goal is to raise the value which, to the government, has unique benefits through increased taxation, jobs, royalties, increased drilling and extraction etc. Only a government could benefit in this way. I don't think it is a bad move, but it is certainly a gamble. It could pay off.

- spending over a billion dollars to shut down three coal power plants at the time they did was an awful decision (I know not o&g but energy related)
- as you say, the royalty review
- much of the Alberta climate change plan should have been put on hold and much of it is a complete joke of taxpayers money going to waste... good idea in theory but rolled it out way to soon imo.
- appointing someone who compared landmines being as ethical as Albertas oil to work with the O&G sector
- the carbon tax and how it is being implemented

These are just the ones that come to mind although I am sure with a couple hours I could double the list. I am 100% on board for a cleaner climate but fact of the matter is, the climate change plan gets abused significantly and the carbon tax is ridiculous until the real problem nations do something. If we wiped out our entire carbon footprint tomorrow, the world is likely a more polluted place due to other nations with no standards increasing production/pollution to take on what we took out.

[MoneyGuy]

I’d be PO’d if I’d been campaigning for months only to have Len Rdodes parachuted into an Edmonton riding to be “appointed” by the UCP instead of actually having to be nominated like everyone else.

[Fuzz]

Originally Posted by Travis Munroe

- spending over a billion dollars to shut down three coal power plants at the time they did was an awful decision (I know not o&g but energy related)
- as you say, the royalty review
- much of the Alberta climate change plan should have been put on hold and much of it is a complete joke of taxpayers money going to waste... good idea in theory but rolled it out way to soon imo.
- appointing someone who compared landmines being as ethical as Albertas oil to work with the O&G sector
- the carbon tax and how it is being implemented

These are just the ones that come to mind although I am sure with a couple hours I could double the list. I am 100% on board for a cleaner climate but fact of the matter is, the climate change plan gets abused significantly and the carbon tax is ridiculous until the real problem nations do something. If we wiped out our entire carbon footprint tomorrow, the world is likely a more polluted place due to other nations with no standards increasing production/pollution to take on what we took out.

And I agree with a lot of that. I was just taking issue with her not doing anything for O&G. I truly believe she means well for the industry, and knows it is vital to Alberta. Some of her methods have been questionable, but she has gone to bat against BC and Trudeau for us.

[Johnny Makarov]

Originally Posted by GordonBlue

another reason to hate the UCP.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmon...dows-1.5028732

Len Rhodes, former president and CEO of the Edmonton Eskimos, has been appointed the United Conservative Party candidate in Edmonton-Meadows.

UCP Leader Jason Kenney told an Edmonton news conference Thursday that a rule allows him to appoint up to four candidates, to allow high-profile people like Rhodes to run.


I can see the slogan now. "Rhodes will do for you what he did for the Eskimos."

Rob Anders. I can see it!

[Travis Munroe]

Originally Posted by Fuzz

And I agree with a lot of that. I was just taking issue with her not doing anything for O&G. I truly believe she means well for the industry, and knows it is vital to Alberta. Some of her methods have been questionable, but she has gone to bat against BC and Trudeau for us.

I too agree that she means well but 1 year of sticking up for the energy sector and doing whatever she believes as best for the province does not erase 3 years of taking shots at the energy sector which is just my thought.

I can understand those who also believe she was learning on the job and gradually she has got better and better and it is too early to move on. In a different economic market, I too likely think a bit harder about my vote but with the current economy, current ability to fight the carbon tax with some other outspoken premieres and opportunity to signify that Alberta is back open for investment (a new face is needed to wipe the "closed for business" talk that made its rounds), I have to swing the other way.

[transplant99]

Why do politicians seemingly always double down when they are caught lying?

When it comes to the Bighorn park proposal, Alberta Environment Minister Shannon Phillips continues to struggle with the facts.

First, a refresher. The Bighorn controversy started Jan. 5, when Phillips released a three-page statement saying she was cancelling scheduled public hearings in the area following “allegations of bullying, abuse and concerns over personal safety.”

The next day she told reporters: “In conversation with both my senior officials and the RCMP, it was determined that at this point we can’t necessarily guarantee the safety of the public.”

On Jan. 9, RCMP spokesman Fraser Logan issued a written statement, saying: “Alberta RCMP did not provide any official advice to Alberta Environment and Parks regarding the Bighorn public consultations.”

At about the same time that Logan sent out that statement, Phillips was talking to the media claiming that the RCMP had two open files on the alleged bullying and harassment.

Later that day, she put out a tweet saying she “misspoke.”

Now, in a written statement, Phillips states: “Last week, I held nation-to-nation meetings with Sunchild, Stoney, Alexis Sioux leaders and have nation-to-nation meetings scheduled in the coming days and weeks with O’Chiese and Ermineskin leadership as well as Treaty 6 Grand Chief Wilton Littlechild.”

Joey Pete, a council member with the Sunchild First Nation, denies that the minister has met with any senior member of the reserve, located 40 kilometres northwest of Rocky Mountain House.

“We never met yet,” said Pete, who says the Alberta government’s walk doesn’t match its talk on how it treats First Nations in this province.

Seeking clarity on this contradiction, Phillips’ spokesperson wrote on Thursday: “Minister Phillips and Minister Feehan had a meeting with two Sunchild Councillors and the Band Manager last week on the issue of treaty rights and access to sacred sites in the Bighorn Country proposal.”

Pete says Edwin Frencheater and a couple of other band councillors say they had a 10-minute phone call with Phillips on Feb. 13, but there was no meeting.

“A phone call is not a meeting. It appears like she’s stretching the truth,” Pete said Thursday. “We are working out the details for a meeting on Monday. That will be our first meeting with Phillips.”

https://calgaryherald.com/news/local...ltations-again

[Mr.Coffee]

Originally Posted by Fuzz

And I agree with a lot of that. I was just taking issue with her not doing anything for O&G. I truly believe she means well for the industry, and knows it is vital to Alberta. Some of her methods have been questionable, but she has gone to bat against BC and Trudeau for us.

I agree with you and I liked her strategy out the gate but the negotiating table has changed and you gotta change with it. She needs a fresh strategy. It’s become painfully obvious that Ottawa doesn’t give a F about Alberta’s efforts to be cleaner.

If you try to play nice and it doesn’t work you need to go the other direction. Time for heating up Alberta’s position amongst a variety of topics focusing on penalizing Quebec or B.C.

And there are lots of other things she could do to attract business investment and get re-elected. I don’t understand why she isn’t thinking strategically anymore and instead she’s worried about Kenney being “mean” and getting caught up in his games.

[Fuzz]

Ya, at this point she should be a lot more aggressive with the Feds. Though I wonder if it is a little early at this point and might jeopardize TMX. It does look like it is moving through this new process OK at this point.

[Mr.Coffee]

If the Feds truly wanted TMX it would be built tomorrow.

Ban oil imports from Washington State. Indicate no more federal transfers to B.C. until they comply. Expropriate land across the country for a transportation corridor. More public relations across the nation about the projects importance. And my personal favourite- just start building it. “But the rule of law!” They create the laws. They just created laws to try and bail out SNC.

They aren’t in a rush and what’s needed is a rush.

[Weitz]

Big day regarding the Transmountain Expansion today. I'm not expecting good news.

[DiracSpike]

Originally Posted by Mr.Coffee

If the Feds truly wanted TMX it would be built tomorrow.

Ban oil imports from Washington State. Indicate no more federal transfers to B.C. until they comply. Expropriate land across the country for a transportation corridor. More public relations across the nation about the projects importance. And my personal favourite- just start building it. “But the rule of law!” They create the laws. They just created laws to try and bail out SNC.

They aren’t in a rush and what’s needed is a rush.

Urgency is the main element missing for sure. Alberta languishes and sells the world's cheapest crude while the government takes their time to placate groups acting in bad faith being paid off to oppose the pipeline at all costs. Makes no sense.

Let's all pray to God that the NEB or Canadian Energy regulator or whatever bastardized body the Liberals have unnecessarily set up to fix a non-existent problem comes back with the correct recommendation today. Three possible lifelines to the coast when these clowns got in and now we're clinging to the last one by a thread.