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OIL TANKER BILL

Kenney promises constitutional challenge if Bill C-48 is passed

Jun 8, 2019 | 10:18 AM

EDMONTON- Premier Jason Kenney says he is deeply disappointed the Senate has voted not to kill the Trudeau government’s bill to ban oil tanker traffic in the environmentally sensitive waters off northern British Columbia.

Kenney says the legislation only targets one product, Alberta bitumen, and does not restrict oil tanker shipments elsewhere on Canada’s coastlines.

Some Independent senators are opposed to C-48 but nevertheless voted against a Conservative-written report because they felt it was too partisan and inflammatory.

The Conservative report of the Senate’s transportation and communications committee asserted the bill will divide the country, inflame separatist sentiment in Alberta and stoke resentment of Indigenous Peoples.

Kenney is urging the Senate to reconsider the negative impact the bill will have on national unity.

He states if Bill C-48 is passed, Alberta will launch an immediate constitutional challenge.

(The Canadian Press)