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By Curtis Galbraith

We won’t stop fighting until pipeline is built: Minister Bilous

Feb 21, 2018 | 12:34 PM

Deron Bilous says the government won’t stop fighting until the Kinder Morgan Trans Mountain pipeline is built.  Alberta’s Minister of Economic Development and Trade made the comment this afternoon at the Growing the North Conference.

“We’re in the process of discussing next steps or next measures that we can impose on British Columbia if they do not drop this idea of restricting what goes in a pipeline.”

He did not offer specifics on what the next measures might be.

“Stay tuned. I mean, obviously working very closely with industry, with municipalities to be talking to their counterparts in British Columbia because, I think, people in B.C. recognize this is a project of national interest.”

Bilous says the pipeline means billions of dollars in investments and thousands of new jobs.

The Minister also announced Seven Generations is to receive a $5-million tax credit for a new gas plant. 

“This is great news for the area, them expanding further and making new capital investments. Our government introduced the CITC, or Capital Investment Tax Credit, as a way to support businesses, to provide some incentive. I mean, essentially, what we’re doing is leveling the playing field.”

A release from the Alberta government says the plant is planned for the Montney Kakwa River area. It is expected to create 150 construction jobs, plus what the province terms “dozens of direct permanent jobs.”

This tax credit returns 10 percent of the cost of new machinery, buildings and equipment up to a maximum of $5-million. Bilous told the crowd at the conference new applications will be taken soon.

The conference that focuses on economic development in the region is taking place at Evergreen Park today and tomorrow. 

 

with files from Sheena Roszell

by Curtis Galbraith