The federal election has come and gone, but Albertans and Foothills residents may be left hoping that their voices will be heard.
Foothills voters overwhelmingly re-elected Conservative John Barlow in the Oct. 21 election, but he will return on the opposition side, as the Liberals’ under the leadership of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will have a minority government.
Barlow has stated, along with Alberta concerns such as getting oil to tidewater and getting grains to market, he was distraught about the polarization in Canada.
He’s right. In Québec, the Bloc Québécois, with its message of separation, took 32 seats. In Alberta and Saskatchewan it was a near clear Blue sweep — the Conservatives took 47 out of 48 seats.
During his victory speech, Trudeau said he has heard the message from Quebec, Alberta and Saskatchewan and promises to work with all Canadians.
However, with a minority government, Trudeau doesn’t have the complete power to deliver what Alberta wants — pipelines to tidewater and some day, the Trans Mountain Pipeline being built and actually delivering oil.
He will need some help and who knows from where.
The Bloc has said it won’t support Trans Mountain or a pipeline going through Quebec.
NDP Leader Jasmeet Singh has said he’s opposed to Trans Mountain and will continue to be opposed.
So the Liberals have bought a $4.5-million pipeline it might never use. Kind of like a 14-year-old teenager buying a hot car — really nice to talk about it but he can’t drive it.
And like that teenager, Mr. Trudeau might be a little timid to get behind the wheel and drive Trans Mountain to completion.
Meanwhile, oil companies in Alberta wonder about their future and consider heading to more friendly territory. Not exactly a great start to uniting Canada.
