Redford, Clark make little progress at 'frosty' meeting - Action News
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Redford, Clark make little progress at 'frosty' meeting

Alberta Premier Alison Redford says little progress was made in a meeting with B.C. Premier Christy Clark over the Northern Gateway oil pipeline project.

Alberta, B.C. premiers each say other needs to move on Northern Gateway project

Northern Gateway meeting

12 years ago
Duration 2:26
Premier Redford said little progress was made with B.C.s Christy Clark over the pipeline project.

Alberta Premier Alison Redford met with B.C. Premier Christy Clarkon Monday over theNorthern Gateway oil pipelineproject, and both women agreed the meeting wasunproductive and "frosty."

"Well, I'm an Albertan and when you talk about sharing Alberta's royalties with other jurisdictions, things tend to get a little bit frosty," said Redford.

Clark isin Calgary this weekand spoke with Redford about thefive conditions B.C. says needs to be metbefore the province will support Enbridge's bid to build the pipeline. The project would run from the Alberta oilsands across B.C. to the port of Kitimat.

B.C.'s 5 conditions for Northern Gateway support

  1. Environmental review needs to be passed.
  2. World-leading marine oil spill prevention, response.
  3. World-leading practices for land oil spill prevention, response.
  4. First Nations opportunities, treaty rights respected.
  5. Fair share of the fiscal and economic benefits for B.C.

"Were about the environment and there is no price that can be put on protecting our environment in British Columbia there is none," said Clark on Monday.

"Weve set out the conditions. Weve said that we have to have the worlds best spill response on land and on the ocean. If we can get thoseand if this passes the environmental review then we can talk about the last one, the fifth. But, until we get those first three settled and done, this project cant go ahead."

The fifth condition is royalties. Clark said Monday that that is the last and least important of all the conditions.

Redford, however, said that she agrees with Clark on the first four conditions, saying the project must lead on environment.

Redford says she won't budge on royalties

The Alberta premier then reiterated that she would not budge on the issue of royalties. Redford said its now up to Clark on how the project could generate revenue, and said she is open to hearing new ideas.

Clark said that while the project is important for Canada, its not a big deal for B.C. because the province has other booming industries, like natural gas.

Clark is scheduled to speak to public policy students at the University of Calgary on Tuesday.