Vincent J. Curtis
8 Apr 22
RE: Bay du Nord a Liberal balancing act. Spectator editorial 8 Apr 22
The editorial, in its apologia for Justin Trudeau’s volte-face on oil and gas emissions, failed to address a salient point, namely the difference between Alberta and Newfoundland. The difference is that one votes almost monolithically conservative while the other monolithically Liberal. Guess which one gets the shaft?
Newfoundland’s economic survival depends on Federal government largesse, and Bay du Nord is going to provide well-paying jobs and a stream of new revenue to both provincial and federal governments. Conservative Alberta has to carry the burden of emissions reduction, even if it cripples Alberta’s economy. Alberta was also two to three weeks behind Ontario in receiving the new vaccines as they were coming out. Notice a pattern?
The federal budget deficit was not as
disastrous as it could have been because oil is selling at around $100 a
barrel. The deficit would be a yawning
chasm if oil were selling at last year’s prices. To appear as good financial managers, the
Liberal government has to maintain a profitable oil and gas sector, their
protestations about climate change notwithstanding. But Alberta can be pained by requiring
emissions reductions, while those who vote Liberal get rewarded.
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