Dear Editor
In the first week of February, the Saskatchewan Government announced they would create a committee to “review and assess the viability of pipeline projects in Saskatchewan, and possible government involvement in investing, stimulating, or generally advancing these projects.”
In justifying this committee, Minister of Trade and Export, Jeremy Harrison said, “One of the things we’ve heard over and over again from proponents is the challenge of securing financing in the open market because of political risk.” Harrison cited federal legislation and challenges from left-wing activist groups as examples.
If financial institutions consider a pipeline too high a risk to invest in, then perhaps our tax dollars shouldn’t be gambled on such an investment either. Expansion of the Trans Mountain pipeline will double the capacity to move oil. The United States recently became a net exporter of oil and maybe a pipeline south is just pipe dream. Industry and governments worldwide are looking at alternate energy sources.
The prevailing attitude in the Sask. Party is that the oil industry is the only path forward. It is clear that other viewpoints are considered “challenges” instead of opportunities. Perhaps if the government brought those left-wing activist groups into the discussion, and perhaps if they offered similar investment and stimulation to advance some alternate energy initiatives, then we wouldn’t need to worry about litigation or disruptive protests similar to protests sparked by the Wet’suwet’en situation.
Maybe at the end of the day, it’s just all about giving back to those who have filled the coffers of the Sask. Party. Down the road, the Sask. Party will say the government should not own assets in the industry and sell off the public’s investment for pennies on the dollar. Jeremy Harrison already seems to be laying the groundwork for this sale when he says, “It’s not ideal that you would have to have governments directly involved in this fashion in energy infrastructure projects …”
Evelyn Johnson
Spiritwood
