Canada is edging toward a constitutional crisis.
Kinder Morgan’s decision to halt all non-essential expenditures on its Trans Mountain expansion project has thrust the debate on the project onto the national stage as an issue of national unity.
This is no longer only about a pipeline and what flows through it. While long purported to be a dispute about bitumen, carbon-based energy and public opinion, the situation has now progressed beyond those issues.
It’s laid bare the question as to the right of our federal government to receive a major infrastructure project proposal from a company backed by private investment (versus tax dollars), impose strict rules and the highest environmental standards in the world, assess the proposal and then make a decision in the best interest of our nation without having its authority – exercised in good faith and on good science – undermined by provincial, regional or municipal governments.
Last week, the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade called on the government of British Columbia to immediately halt its tactics to delay or obstruct the federally approved project. In addition, we called on the federal government to assert its powers vested under Confederation and act to ensure this project moves forward immediately.
There is a lot at stake. Aside from the future of this specific project – which would bring benefits to our province and country – there is also the much larger issue of investor confidence in Canada.
The impasse created and sustained by the provincial government is now challenging – in the full view of the international investment community – the ability of our country to govern itself.
In our view, this is a watershed moment for the federal government and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. How he responds to this issue will be one of the defining moments of his term in office. It is time for him to demonstrate, beyond a doubt, that we are one country united under the law.
We are not alone in this viewpoint. Far from it, in fact.
Last week, a coalition of more than 70 business organizations and industry groups from across Canada banded together in less than 48 hours and called for the governments of British Columbia, Alberta and Canada to come together and defuse Canada’s pending economic confidence crisis.
Our group penned a letter to Prime Minister Trudeau that received support and signatures from across the country. Clearly, this is an issue that hits home for many, irrespective of geography or industry.
That’s because this isn’t just about a pipeline. It’s about whether or not any proponent, licensee or tenure holder can have confidence that they can invest, build and operate within their government-approved mandate. It’s about whether or not Canada is open for business. It’s about whether we stick to our word or change the rules “on the fly.” It’s about whether our Constitution is bedrock or tissue.
We hope that this will be a wake-up call for Canadians and will propel our elected officials in Victoria, Edmonton and Ottawa into action. Stated simply, the stakes are too high, with our global reputation as a country for safe and secure investment under scrutiny, and at risk.
If you’re reading this and you’re one of the millions of Canadians that support this project, it’s time to make your voice heard.
If you’re worried that a trade war between British Columbia and Alberta will do irrevocable harm to our provincial economy, it’s time to make your voice heard.
If you’re worried that confidence in Canada is eroding, it’s time to make your voice heard.
Help us send a clear message to the governments of British Columbia, Alberta and Canada.
Stand up for Canada today atconfidenceincanada.com. •
Iain Black is the president and CEO of the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade.
