B.C. Premier Christy Clark has walked out of today's talks on a national energy strategy at the premier's conference in Halifax over her concerns about Enbridge's Northern Gateway pipeline, as Alberta Premier Alison Redford continued to lead the talks, according to CBC reports.
Clark and Redford have been sparring all week over B.C.'s position that an 8% share of the economic benefits of the Northern Gateway pipeline is not enough.
Clark told CBC Radio Tuesday morning, "Alberta's interests in this are pretty obvious. Alberta gets the large bulk of the benefits, takes very little of the risk. B.C. takes most of the risk and we get very few of the benefits. So I think it's pretty obvious that we have some talking to do here."
But Redford said in a statement Monday that B.C. is pitting one province against another, rather than doing what is best for Canada as a whole.
"Leadership is not about dividing Canadians and pitting one province against another. Leadership is about working together. That's when our country benefits, that's when Canada leads," said Redford.
After this morning's walkout, Clark held an impromptu scrum with reporters, saying she would not participate in talks on a national energy policy until the pipeline issue was addressed.
"It's not a national energy strategy if I don't sign on," said Clark.
"Until we see some progress in the discussions between British Columbia, Alberta and the federal government with respect to the Gateway pipeline through British Columbia, we will not be participating in the discussion of a national energy strategy."
Back in B.C., federal MP's were quick to react to Clark's walkout.
The Conservative MP for Chilliwack-Fraser Canyon, Mark Strahl, told CBC News he doesn't believe the premier should be pulling out of the talks.
"I personally believe that the best way to influence a discussion is to be in the room, and to make your points known. But the premier's obviously made her decision and it's up to each province to decide how they're going to approach natural resources in their jurisdiction," said Strahl.
But Liberal MP for Vancouver Quadra, Joyce Murray, was pleased to see the premier take a strong stance.
"It's good that she's standing up for British Columbia. Most British Columbians are concerned about this pipeline and the potential spills not only on the pipeline, but in the ocean and on the coast from the tanker traffic," said Murray.
B.C. Environment Minister Terry Lake said Clark was standing up for B.C. and the five criteria the province laid out before it would approve the project.
"If there is consideration of the five principles, she'd be happy to rejoin the discussion when those principles can be addressed," said Lake.
"She is leaving the door open but it is a key principle that we need to ensure British Columbia's interests are protected when we are talking about a national energy strategy that talks about moving oil through B.C. down our coastline to the Pacific."
