Gut punch : Alberta Premier Jason Kenney blasts Biden on revoked Keystone XL permit
CALGARY Alberta Premier Jason Kenney is calling for the federal government to impose economic sanctions against the United States in response to newly inaugurated U.S.
Jan 20, 2021 8:11 PM By: Canadian Press
CALGARY Alberta Premier Jason Kenney is calling for the federal government to impose economic sanctions against the United States in response to newly inaugurated U.S. President Joe Biden s gut punch decision to tear up the permit for the Keystone XL oil pipeline expansion. As friends and allies of the United States, we are deeply disturbed that one of President Biden s first actions in office has been to rescind the presidential permit for the Keystone XL pipeline border crossing. This is a gut punch for the Canadian and Alberta economies, Kenney said at a news conference late Wednesday.
PSAC says it now expects average benchmark U.S. crude oil prices of about US$50 per barrel, up 19 per cent from the old forecasts, with Alberta natural gas prices of C$2.60 per thousand cubic feet and the Canadian dollar slightly stronger at 79 cents US.
The improved outlook is consistent with other recent signs of optimism in the gloomy oilpatch, with the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers calling for capital spending to rise to about $27.3 billion this year, up $3.36 billion compared with 2020.
Neither forecast is particularly robust. Last year s actual well count of 2,992 was a 50-year low and CAPP s spending estimate is a far cry from 2014 when oilpatch investment reached $81 billion.
What’s next for Alberta? The future of Alberta’s oil and gas industry is even more unclear with U.S. President Joe Biden killing the Keystone XL pipeline his first day in office. It’s an issue Catholics are divided on, much like the rest of Canada. CNS photo/Jessica Lutz, Reuters January 28, 2021
With the stroke of a pen, U.S. President Joe Biden didn’t just cancel the Keystone XL pipeline. In the eyes of some, he’s cancelled Alberta.
Pipeline owner TC Energy Corp. almost immediately informed its employees it will eliminate more than 1,000 good-paying construction jobs across both Alberta and the midwestern states. But beyond the immediate job losses, the end of Keystone XL is emblematic for many Albertans who used to sport “I am Alberta oil” bumper stickers handed out by the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers, said Alberta sociologist and environmentalist Randy Haluza-DeLay.
REGINA On Wednesday, Regina City Council will hear from more than 20 delegations regarding a motion put forward at last week’s Executive Committee meeting, proposing energy companies be banned from sponsorship and naming rights of city buildings and events. The motion was brought forward by Ward 6 Councillor Daniel LeBlanc, who has since posted on Facebook saying he plans to withdraw the motion at Wednesday’s meeting after receiving an outpouring of feedback from the public. LeBlanc said the motion was “too much too soon.” The motion received mixed reaction, including strong words from Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe. Delegations scheduled to speak in Wednesday’s meeting include a representative from the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers, the Saskatchewan Winter Games, Keystone Group of Companies and the Regina & District Chamber of Commerce.