Sunday February 23, 2020 ~ NATIONAL
~ West Shore Voice News
Today Sunday February 23, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spoke with Alberta Premier Jason Kenney to discuss the decision announced this evening by Teck Resources Limited that they do not plan to proceed with the proposed Frontier oil sands project in northern Alberta.
This decision to shelve the $20 billion frontier mine comes in the wake of now over two weeks of rail blockades and what now appears to be an escalating political deadlock between the federal government (and many provincial governments) and indigenous leadership (as well as a wide range of protesters).
This comes just days ahead of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau being expected to issue a ruling on the contentious project.
The Teck Resources CEO says Canada must reconcile climate and oil.
Alberta Premier Jason Kenney has blamed the decision on ‘federal inaction’ under Trudeau, calling the protesters a ‘militant minority’.
Both the Prime Minister and the Premier agreed on the importance of Canada’s natural resource sector to the Canadian economy, it was stated in a readout Sunday night from the Prime Minister’s office (PMO). They discussed their commitment to developing Canadian natural resources sustainably and creating jobs, the PMO stated.
The Prime Minister reaffirmed the Government of Canada’s commitment to working with Alberta and the resource sector to keep creating good jobs and to ensure clean, sustainable growth for Canadians.
The resource sector appears to be under siege by environmentalists and indigenous protest supporters, though it seems evident that — for now — primary natural resources are needed for the many products (particularly technological) that are enjoyed in modern society.
The PMO also stated that Trudeau and Kenney also briefly discussed the railway blockades and the impacts they are having across the country on Canadians and the economy, and they affirmed their desire for a quick and peaceful resolution.
==== OTHER:
Prime Minister Trudeau spoke with BC, Ontario and Quebec premiers about ensuring key products for community sustainability (February 23, 2020)
Prime Minister Trudeau spoke with Premiers about the protests (February 20, 2020)