Thread by @EmmaLGraney

Kenney talking about Keystone XL right now from Southern Alberta. He says Albertans are due for good news on this project. #ableg #cdnpoli

Kenney says after more than a decade of environ reviews, collaboration, "we are here at long last" kicking off construction of the Alberta leg of Keystone XL pipeline. He's near Oyen right now. #ableg #cdnpoli

A lot of work has already been done on Keystone, BTW. Like this part at the Canada-US border in Saskatchewan. tcenergy.com/operations/oil… #ableg #cdnpoli

There are still legal challenges in the US courts over Keystone XL, too. But Kenney says "we will leave no stone unturned" here or across the border to get the pipeline built. Here's a story from April theglobeandmail.com/business/artic… #ableg #cdnpoli

This is an enthusiastic, campaign-like speech from Kenney, btw. Haven't heard him sound so happy in a while. Also he's calling this reconciliACTION which is... a new thing. #ableg #cdnpoli

TC Energy dude says it feels good to be back in Oyen to get the Alberta part of Keystone XL pipeline construction started #ableg #cdnpoli

He says we cannot overstate the financial impact the project will have on the province, with jobs and revenue. #ableg #cdnpoli

TC Energy bloke says the company has already built a few pump stations in Alberta, by the by. Adds the company is keeping construction within covid health rules #ableg #cdnpoli

Kenney says Alberta will do all it can in the US to get Keystone XL built, whether it's court assistance or just making the case to lawmakers. NEWS! Alberta will open its Houton office next week (or just officially announce it). #ableg #cdnpoli

As for why this is part of the covid-19 economic recovery plan when negotiations for the $1.5b investment were happening *well* before the pandemic was a thing... well... it just is. We were already in an economic trough, he says, and that's why capex was high #ableg #cdnpoli

Hey its @TaraNWeber on the line! She's great. Asks about Biden's promise to cancel the Keystone XL pipeline permit. Kenney says his gvt has already reached out to unions in the US and "we know they will be partners with us" to communicate with the Biden campaign #ableg #cdnpoli

Kenney adds he "looks forward to the support of the Gvt of Canada" in spreading the message of Oil Is Important And So Are Pipeline to the USA. Says killing Keystone XL would be a huge diplomatic blow to the US-Canada relationship #ableg #cdnpoli

There will be "bumps along the road," Kenney says, but he's prepared to take on the risks because you can't just "sit there passively" if you wanna get things done. #ableg #cdnpoli

Kenney asked about Irving shipping Alberta crude through the Panama Canal to Canada's east coast. Kenney says look finally they're getting it there but it's "crazy" and "defies belief" that the country can't be united to send oil from AB to the east coast #ableg #cdnpoli

Kenney also gives props to Irving, says yo thx for upping your purchase of Alberta oil. This is "an important expression of national unity," but adds his wish to get a national pipeline built to the east and says he's not given up on that #ableg #cdnpoli

Kenney asked why he continues to invoke First Nations relationships at announcements but refuses to fire his speechwriter. He says he always listens to First Nations and believes the residential school system was "racist" and unjust #ableg #cdnpoli

Kenney says the Houston Alberta office that will open shortly will be led by "a prominent Albertan" oooooooooh, intrigue. Bets on names, anyone? #ableg #cdnpoli

Kenney makes a point in French, moves back to English to reiterate. Says Americans have spent trillions of $ to have access to OPEC oil but now we have Nth American energy independence - but that was jeopardized this year, and that's why we need Keystone XL #ableg #cdnpoli

And that's that, kids, but not before Kenney closes with a comment to the mayor: "You don't hear a lot of French out here in Oyen, do you." #ableg #cdnpoli