Thread by @RickAnderson, I recognize this is a pretty important Canadian discussion we are [...]

I recognize this is a pretty important

Canadian discussion we are having. And in some ways, long overdue. I hope it proceeds in as honest and constructive fashion as possible. The last things we need are more misunderstanding.
1/x #cdnpoli http://globalnews.ca/news/6178201/blanchet-kenney-equalization-payments/

Jason Kenney should start ‘explaining things with truth,’ Blanchet says

Speaking with Mercedes Stephenson, Bloc Québécois leader Yves-François Blanchet said Jason Kenney has been spreading "false information" about equalization payments.

http://globalnews.ca/news/6178201/blanchet-kenney-equalization-payments/

I am hopeful M Blanchet brings a fresh approach to Parliament, a renewed engagement in the wider national discussion and range of topics rather than a detached Bloc interested in only a subset of topics.
2/x #cdnpoli

I do not understand what Blanchet means by:
• “Canada does not send a cheque to Quebec. That’s not true. That simply does not exist.”
•“Quebec contributes more to federal income than Alberta does.”
• “We would do better by ourselves without your oil, without your money.”
3/x

Of course Québec receives a very large annual equalization payment from Canada, the largest of any province, etc etc. This year it will be $13 billion, part of $25 billion in major transfer payments from the Canadian govt to the Québec govt.
4/x #cdnpoli
https://www.fin.gc.ca/fedprov/mtp-eng.asp#Quebec

Is M Blanchet disputing there is a “cheque” versus some other form of transaction? I don’t know the form of it and I doubt it matters whether a cheque, electronic transfer, or entry amongst the myriad of transfers amongst our govts. But a payment, yes for sure.
5/x #cdnpoli

Likewise, it is pretty obviously true that Albertans contribute the most to the federal pot, and get the least back in return. Residents of ON, BC and SK are also net contributors. This is Canadian fiscal federalism.
https://lop.parl.ca/sites/PublicWebsite/default/en_CA/ResearchPublications/201701E#a2
6/x #cdnpoli

It is not fiscal federalism per se that Albertans are complaining about these days. It is two other aspects of

’s federal bargain:

7/x #cdnpoli

• the authority of each province (s.92A) to develop and manage their non-renewable natural resources

• the authority of the federal govt (s.92.10) to regulate interprovincial pipelines (and more broadly, internal trade s.121)

https://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/const/page-4.html#docCont

8/x #cdnpoli

The ongoing dispute between Québec and Alberta is all the more distressing as Québecers and Albertans tend to agree on the importance of provincial rights and autonomy, and on the need for Ottawa to respect those core elements of Canadian federalism.

9/x #cdnpoli

Equally confusing is M. Blanchet’s statement “we would do better by ourselves without your oil, without your money”.
IMO Québec was very smart to have had the vision, courage, foresight to have developed its massive clean, renewable hydroelectric resources.
10/x #cdnpoli

But even with all that fantastic electricity, even with its plans to continue electrifying its economy, 56% of Québec’s daily energy consumption remains in the form of petroleum and natural gas.
https://www.cer-rec.gc.ca/nrg/ntgrtd/mrkt/nrgsstmprfls/qc-eng.html
11/x #cdnpoli

And, when Quebéc buys energy from Alberta or SK it has secure, affordable energy from partners who recycle proceeds back across Canada’s economy via jobs, services, taxes, dividends, equalization etc.
No, M Blanchet, QC is not better off without AB’s oil.
12/x #cdnpoli

Instead of arguing, how about collaboration?
Alberta could use more support from Canada in two areas:
• moving Western

energy products safely and efficiently to markets at home and abroad
• transitioning Western

oil and natural gas to the “world’s cleanest”
13/x #cdnpoli

Québec investors and engineers have long been part of Alberta’s oil sands success. Energy companies are among Canada’s biggest spenders on cleantech and clean energy R&D, as they work at dramatically reduce GHG emissions. Québec’s best brains must be part of this.
14/x #cdnpoli

Today, Canada’s oil and gas industry emits 195 Mt/year of GHG - over 25% of Canada’s total emissions. It’s not rocket science to appreciate Canada’s goal of reducing annual GHG by 200 Mt requires change in this industry - which oil and gas leaders are committed to.
15/x #cdnpoli

Steve Laut, exec vice chair of

’s largest oil and gas producer CNRL, re net zero emissions in upstream production:

“That's what we're trying to do; take it from 100 to 60 to 0. And I think we can do it...technology can make it happen.”

https://www.resourceworks.com/more-canada
16/x #cdnpoli

The 1990s image of high cost, high emissions Canadian fossil fuels is now completely out of date

If you're really entrenched that fossil fuels, especially Canadian ones, are bad, here's some shocking news: Canadian oil and gas is now cleaner and better than the rest.

https://www.resourceworks.com/more-canada

“Suncor’s GHG intensity was approximately 10% lower than its intensity in 2014...Suncor has a stated goal to reduce the GHG intensity of its operations by 30% compared to 2014 by 2030.”

17/x #cdnpoli https://www.jwnenergy.com/article/2019/7/suncor-canadian-natural-decrease-ghg-intensity-2018/

Suncor, Canadian Natural decrease GHG intensity in 2018 | Carbon & Sustainability | JWN Energy

The GHG emissions intensity of Canada’s two largest oil and gas producers continues to trend downward. Both Suncor Energy...

https://www.jwnenergy.com/article/2019/7/suncor-canadian-natural-decrease-ghg-intensity-2018/

“Suncor Energy Inc, Canada’s second-largest oil sands producer, will invest $1.4 billion to install two cogeneration units at its Oil Sands Base Plant, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 25%”

18/x #cdnpoli

https://business.financialpost.com/commodities/energy/canadas-suncor-to-install-cogeneration-units-at-oil-sands-plant-for-c1-4-bln-2

“Imperial supports the Paris Agreement as an important framework for addressing risks of climate change...research positioned company well for the challenge of providing reliable, affordable, responsible energy in a lower-carbon future”

19/x #cdnpoli https://www.imperialoil.ca/en-CA/Sustainability/Environment/Energy-and-carbon-summary

Energy and carbon summary

Imperial is well-positioned to help support Canada in responsible energy development and production.

https://www.imperialoil.ca/en-CA/Sustainability/Environment/Energy-and-carbon-summary

MEG Energy CEO Derek Evans:

“We're going to focus on net-zero emissions because we believe that's the end game and that's where we need to get to as quickly as possible”

20/x #cdnpoli https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/meg-energy-net-zero-oilsands-christina-lake-1.5303409

'It's not a pipe dream': Oilsands company developing project to wipe out its emissions | CBC News

MEG Energy says it is developing a pilot project that will provide the runway for the oilsands producer to achieve net-zero emissions.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/meg-energy-net-zero-oilsands-christina-lake-1.5303409

#21/x #cdnpoli https://twitter.com/jkenney/status/1196251193372073986

https://twitter.com/jkenney/status/1196251193372073986

So, M Blanchet, regarding your statement “If they were attempting to create a green state, I might be tempted to help them. If they are trying to create an oil state in Western

, they cannot expect any help from us.”
Alberta is both. And does want your help.
22/22 #cdnpoli

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