FP: So, instead of backslapping Liberal politicians for their Trans Mountain support, Albertans and many other westerners view the federal government as ambivalent, even hostile, to the oil and gas sector, once they consider all the policies recently put in place. Westerners also perceive a distinct lack of fairness from Ottawa. Quebec, receiving gobs of equalization funds, opposes Alberta oil in favour of importing Middle Eastern oil instead. And while Trudeau seems unwilling to pressure B.C. to back off its anti-pipeline fight (and is still writing cheques for B.C. infrastructure), his environment minister has said Saskatchewan will be punished for refusing to impose carbon taxes by losing its $62-million share of federal funds for emissions reduction. The potential for major conflict is real.
Then there is the major hostility now brewing over carbon taxation. The Liberal government initially thought it had agreement for its carbon-tax plan from all provinces except Saskatchewan. That plan is now falling apart.
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