“Negative”, “conflicting”, “frustrating”. Justin Trudeau’s legacy attracts no positive adjectives from Alberta’s oil and gas industry.
The old CEO of the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers, Tim McMillan, however, did not expect this type of relationship when the Liberal Prime Minister came to power in 2015. A year earlier, he had heard him speak at the Calgary Petroleum Club.
He was very generous to the oil and gas industry. [Il a dit] that he would not be a threat, but a support. My experience is that this changed dramatically when he was elected
says the man who is now a partner at the firm Garrison Strategy.
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Tim McMillan, a partner at consulting firm Garrison Strategy, sees very few positives in Justin Trudeau’s legacy for the oil and gas sector.
Photo: The Canadian Press
Tim McMillan mentions in particular two statements by Justin Trudeau during his first mandate. In 2016, at the World Economic Forum, the Prime Minister opposed his predecessors who wanted to make Canada known for its resources
. The remark is seen as a repudiation of the natural resources sector.
A year later, Justin Trudeau speaks in Ontario about the gradual elimination of the tar sands. He changes his mind a week later, but the damage is done.
What we have seen in terms of policies and regulations over the years is very consistent with this idea that oil and gas are not central to the Canadian economy
says Mr. McMillan.
Unwelcome policies
Among the many areas of contention, we can cite the law passed in 2019 limiting the docking of certain oil tankers on the north coast of British Columbia or the law reforming the evaluation of large infrastructure projects, nicknamed in Alberta law No More Pipelines
.
Every bill affecting the industry provokes a legal challenge, putting Ottawa, Edmonton and the sector in a vicious cycle of conflict, notes University of Calgary School of Public Policy Distinguished Fellow Richard Masson.
We are the only country in the world that has been shooting itself in the foot for a decade so that a small number of politicians can congratulate themselves
estimates Martha Hall Findlay, who felt frustrated
against the Trudeau government.
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Martha Hall Findlay believes that the lack of collaboration and listening from the federal government is hampering efforts to decarbonize the oil industry.
Photo : -
The former Liberal politician now heads the School of Public Policy at the University of Calgary, but she was also vice-president of sustainable development for the oil company Suncor.
She believes that the oil and gas industry is ready to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions in light of the global decarbonization movement. However, she believes that the Trudeau government has focused on the tree that hides the forest: objectives that are unattainable in Canada rather than participation in a global reduction.
The federal government that we have has really made it difficult.
She cites as an example the emissions cap that Ottawa continues to want to impose on the industry despite numerous criticisms. She also deplores the lack of progress in the carbon capture and storage project of the Alliance Nouvelles Voies oil consortium.
Approved projects
Even the purchase of the Trans Mountain pipeline by the federal government does not find favor in the eyes of the industry. According to former energy investment manager Rafi Tahmazian, this purchase was not support for the industry
but a necessity of last resort.
There is no situation where anyone believed in the sincerity of Justin Trudeau’s visits
he maintains.
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For the industry, the completion of the Trans Mountain expansion project is little consolation in the face of the abandonment of the Northern Gateway and Energy East pipeline projects.
Photo : Trans Mountain
He concedes that Justin Trudeau’s government has allowed the LNG Canada liquefied natural gas export project, which should come into service this year. But, in the same sentence, he criticizes the Prime Minister for not having seized opportunities to export natural gas after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
When we look at these two projects [Trans Mountain et LNG Canada] we see the profits to come, but also all the missed opportunities and the investment that did not arrive
summarizes the president of the Calgary Chamber of Commerce, Deborah Yedlin.
If the departure of Justin Trudeau and the upcoming change of leader creates uncertainty, the president of the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers, Lisa Baiton, hopes that the next government will focus on growth
.
It’s incredibly important for federal leaders to send a signal that Canada is ready for more investment in the natural resources sector and that we will grow as an energy supplier to the world
she said in a written statement.
With information from Paula Duhatschek
