I would not blame Alberta if that province left Canada

[Anonymous]

'There is some hypocrisy'

Quebecers criticize western oil but buy more gasoline, SUVS: Report



Montreal — Quebec's premier is quick to reject "dirty" oil from Western canada in favour of hydro power, but new data indicate the province's citizens are buying record amounts of gasoline and increasingly purchasing trucks and bigger homes.



[size=150]Quebecers are widely seen across the country as environmentally conscious, but per capita, they are some of the highest consumers of energy on the planet, [/size]according to a report prepared by researchers at Universite de Montreal's business school.



Premier Francois Legault recently provoked the ire of western Canadians when he reminded journalists how there was "no social acceptability" in his province for a "dirty energy" pipeline from Alberta.



His comments drew rebukes from pundits and western leaders such as Alberta Premier Rachel Notley, who said Legault "needs to get off his high horse."



Prof. Pierre-Plivier Pineau, co-author of the report on energy use in Quebec, said people have a point when they criticize the province for its public stance on fossil fuels compared to the behaviours of its citizens. "Yes, there is a certain degree of hypocrisy in all humans, and obviously, with regards to certain positions that Quebecers take (on energy), there is some hypocrisy there." Pineau said in an interview.



Quebecers do have some bragging rights, however, when it comes to green living, he explained.



Per capita carbon emissions in Quebec are the lowest in the country, Pineau said, and the province has decreased its overall emissions by 11 per cent since 1990. But that success is less attributed to choice and more to circumstance, Pineau explained.



"One hundred per cent of electricity in Quebec is from renewable resources," he said. "also, Quebecers are less rich than other Canadians, meaning they consume less energy, have less cars."



But the automobiles Quebecers do drive are increasingly gas-guzzling, according his report.



Sales of vehicles such as trucks, SUVS and pick-ups in Quebec increased by 246% between 1990 and 2017 and gasoline sales jumped 33% during the same period. every year since 2015, sales of those types of vehicles have overtaken car sales.



"Among the 3.7 million Quebecers who had a job in 2016 and who worked away from home, 78% said they primarily used a personal vehicle to get there," the report noted.



And the report indicated that between 1990 and 2016, the average surface area of a home in the province increased by 17%.



Moreover, on a per capita basis, Quebecers consume significantly more energy than the global average, as well as citizens in countries such as China and Germany — and almost as much as in the United States.

[Anonymous]

Social license  to get critical infrastructure built to tidewater has been an  utter failure. It is essentially extortion. The premier of Alberta is doubling down on stupid.



From Sun News Media



No appeasing eco-zealots

Alberta premier still sticking to her disastrous idea of 'social license'



Last week, Premier Rachel Notley said her Quebec counterpart, newly elected Premier Francois Legault "needs to get off his high horse." Of course, Legault had earned the ire of Notley and most Albertans by sneering there was "no social acceptability" in his province for a pipeline with "dirty oil" in it from Alberta.



Notley would actually be a good role model for Legault, since she only climbed off her own high horse a few months ago. Indeed, she has still only come down part way.



It was Notley who established the whole "social acceptability" standard in the first place. Her theory was that if we Albertans just taxed themelves enough and piled up environmental regulations high enough, they would earn "social license" from politicians such as Legault to get pipelines constructed.



How's that worked out? The very fact Legault believes "social acceptability" is a precondition to building pipelines comes directly from Notley's (and others') assertion that it was possible for Alberta to earn "social license."



[size=150]Notley still hasn't fully given up on "social license," either, even though it is crystal clear the concept is an utter failure.[/size]



In a year-end interview Notley gave to Postmedia on Monday, s[size=150]he once again connected Alberta's ability to see pipelines built to saltwater ports with our willingness to beggar our treasury with expensive schemes to make "progress on climate change."[/size]



Frankly, if the last three years had taught Notley anything, it should have been that [size=150]the only thing that will move pipelines along is the willingness of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to invoke Ottawa's constitutional authority over interprovincial trade. And that is unlikely.[/size]



Pipelines are not being held up because Alberta's climate change efforts are insufficient – a carbon tax, coal-fired power plant closures, higher taxes on largescale emitters, huge power-contract buyouts, wind and solar projects, mountains of new "green" regs. They are being held up because nothing short of an end to the oil and gas industry will satisfy "green" politicians and radical environmentalists.



There is no level of appeasement that will ever prove to be enough. It's not the pipelines the eco-zealots want to stop, it's what's in the pipelines. So "social license" is impossible.



Legault might also be forgiven for thinking Notley had granted his province a veto over pipelines from the West.



One of her first acts as premier in 2015 was to show how "social license" would work. Notley flew to Quebec to meet with Philippe Couillard, Legault's predecessor as premier.



Notley said it was "not unreasonable" for Quebec to impose job-creation demands and high environmental standards on any pipeline through its territory. And it was up to Alberta to prove to Quebec's satisfaction that those demands were being met.



So, first Couillard and now Legault reasoned the highest possible standard was no pipeline at all.



Of course, Prime Minister Trudeau and his federal Liberals let Quebec block pipelines with no consequences.



First, the Liberals changed the pipeline approval rules so Transcanada would kill Energy East (which was unpopular in Quebec). Then they upped Quebec's equalization payments by 11 per cent anyway.



Quebec gets to kill pipelines but consume tax dollars as if the pipelines were up and pumping money into the treasury.



The common denominator with pipeline obstruction in Quebec and in B.C. is Trudeau. Only the federal government possesses the power or influence to push through projects such as Energy East and Trans Mountain.



Of course, Trudeau has no intention of taking the side of Alberta and the energy industry over the objections of Liberal-friendly Quebec and B.C.



And Rachel "Get-offyour-high-horse" Notley has shown no signs of climbing off her "I (heart) Justin" horse.

[Bricktop]

What is becoming manifestly obvious is that western democratic nations are fracturing along ideological lines.



Neither side of the fault line accepts the governmental policies of the other when they are in power.



"One size fits all" government no longer applies.



The long term implications may well see some of these "Commonwealths" separating in a mitosis-like divide...common cultural backgrounds, but different political persuasions.



One way or another, the status quo is unsustainable. Just ask the French.

[Anonymous]

What is becoming manifestly obvious is that western democratic nations are fracturing along ideological lines.



Neither side of the fault line accepts the governmental policies of the other when they are in power.



"One size fits all" government no longer applies.



The long term implications may well see some of these "Commonwealths" separating in a mitosis-like divide...common cultural backgrounds, but different political persuasions.



One way or another, the status quo is unsustainable. Just ask the French.

In Canada the failure of democracy is along geographic lines and it's been that way for a long time. Majority governments are won before the polls close in Western provinces.



Both father and son Trudeau got their support from Quebec and the Maritime provinces. The only battleground is vote rich Ontario. If Trudeau wins that he can afford to throw Alberta and Saskatchewan under the bus which is exactly his strategy as it was that of his late father.



This is why I can understand if Alberta and Saskatchewan look for a new arrangement with Canada up to and including secession.

[Bricktop]

Geographical lines have often defined both cultural and political lines.



On the upside, it makes secession much easier.

[Anonymous]

Geographical lines have often defined both cultural and political lines.



On the upside, it makes secession much easier.

A lot easier to the region that feels it's getting the shaft.

[Berry Sweet]

All Canada really is, is Quebec and Ontario.  Huge welfare provinces.  I seriously hope the rest of the country separates.

[Anonymous]

All Canada really is, is Quebec and Ontario.  Huge welfare provinces.  I seriously hope the rest of the country separates.

Quebec should not have a monopoly on the secession option. The threat of separation seems to be the only way to get Ottawa's attention.

[Berry Sweet]

All Canada really is, is Quebec and Ontario.  Huge welfare provinces.  I seriously hope the rest of the country separates.

Quebec should not have a monopoly on the secession option. The threat of separation seems to be the only way to get Ottawa's attention.

It just needs to be done.  The west has always been ignored and just cash cows to the east.  Let us separate, the west is better off.  We dont need Quebec or Ontario, they are nothing but an over populated shit stain, buck a beer welfare state.

[Anonymous]

All Canada really is, is Quebec and Ontario.  Huge welfare provinces.  I seriously hope the rest of the country separates.

Quebec should not have a monopoly on the secession option. The threat of separation seems to be the only way to get Ottawa's attention.

It just needs to be done.  The west has always been ignored and just cash cows to the east.  Let us separate, the west is better off.  We dont need Quebec or Ontario, they are nothing but an over populated shit stain, buck a beer welfare state.

I'm thinking. ac_umm

[Berry Sweet]

Look at everything they've done over the years.  Useless provinces.  They make it difficult for everyone in the west.  If you want to get citizenship to another country, you have to fly to Montreal to do it...everything is Montreal or toronto based...why not make it easier and have head offices in Vamcouver or Calgary? Are we not important enough over here?



And what about Saskatchewan and Manitoba? Those 2 provinces always get fucked in the ass.

[Anonymous]

Look at everything they've done over the years.  Useless provinces.  They make it difficult for everyone in the west.  If you want to get citizenship to another country, you have to fly to Montreal to do it...everything is Montreal or toronto based...why not make it easier and have head offices in Vamcouver or Calgary? Are we not important enough over here?



And what about Saskatchewan and Manitoba? Those 2 provinces always get fucked in the ass.

Seoul lives in Ontario and he is far from useless.

[Bricktop]

Secession sounds like a good idea, but it is rather like cutting off your leg to lose weight.



Before seceding, you need to consider the population of your new country, and the set up costs for independent infrastructure, such as roads, rail, airports, electrical grid, border protection, defence, health care and foreign relations. You will also need a financial plan that includes taxation, and a welfare system.



Then you need to be confident of being categorised as a sovereign State by the UN.



Once you do your sums, you will realise, as Quebec, Scotland and even Noumea did, that sometimes its better to belong to a big club, than form a small one.

[Anonymous]

Secession sounds like a good idea, but it is rather like cutting off your leg to lose weight.



Before seceding, you need to consider the population of your new country, and the set up costs for independent infrastructure, such as roads, rail, airports, electrical grid, border protection, defence, health care and foreign relations. You will also need a financial plan that includes taxation, and a welfare system.



Then you need to be confident of being categorised as a sovereign State by the UN.



Once you do your sums, you will realise, as Quebec, Scotland and even Noumea did, that sometimes its better to belong to a big club, than form a small one.

Quebec receives more than  ten billion dollars every year from provinces like mine, Herman's and  Berry's every year..



That would end with secession and Quebeckers knew that..



Albertans don't want to leave Canada, but if Ottawa keeps blocking this province's development, it's forcing us to  look at a new arrangement with Ottawa..



The status quo is becoming unbearable for business, labour and our provincial government.

[Anonymous]

On Tuesday, Team Trudeau says they feel Alberta's pain. They know Alberta's frustration.



They understand Alberta's anxiety. They want to help Alberta. They announce $1.5 billion in loans for the oilpatch. They announce $150 million cash.



If this is a Christmas announcement, it's like finding a pair of socks and underwear under the tree when you thought you were going to get a new train set.



Albertans want jobs. Albertans want to move their oil to those willing to buy.



Albertans want to see a government really fight for a pipeline.



Albertans want an oilpatch allowed to do what it can do well. Make money and grow Alberta's economy.



Instead, they're served up politicians with Band-aids and jive talk.