There will be celebrations aplenty across the Foothills, from Blackie to Millarville in recognition of this country’s 152 anniversary.
While there is a unified feel from east to west and north to south in this area — as there will be a plethora of councillors, trustees, MPs, MLAs giving thanks to Canada — unfortunately, that same sense of unity isn’t necessarily being felt across the country.
Maybe what will bring Canadians together is an oil pipeline from Burnaby, B.C. to Truro, N.S. but that is likely just a pipe dream.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced the expansion of the Trans Mountain Pipeline is a go early last week — not too much of a surprise, afterall the federal government bought the darn thing from Kinder Morgan during his reign just over a year ago.
Going into an election with a stagnant $4.5 billion taxpayer-bought pipeline isn’t the best political strategy.
The news that the pipeline will proceed was met with extremely limited optimism by the oil industry as it waited for a shoe to drop. It didn’t take too long.
Environmental groups and some First Nations quickly stated it would fight the pipeline until the end.
And when the Senate passed Bill C-48 and Bill C-69 which further dampened the chances of the expansion by putting restrictions on oil tankers on the B.C. coast and causing, what Alberta Premier Jason Kenney calls, unneccesary red-tape.
Kenney has threatened to go to court, citing concerns of the Province’s constitutional rights being threatened.
The Raptors’ victory unifying Canada is gone after about a week.
So, enjoy the good times on Canada Day as we celebrate as one.
Because it might get ugly between Alberta and Ottawa come October’s federal election.
