Thread by @BarbLarochelle

Kenney starts 10 min. late by congratulating the new U.S. admin. He says it’s good to see after recent events. Launches right into talking about our ties as trading partners and how important Albert is to ‘create prosperity’. He’s ‘deeply disturbed’ by the gut punch and insult 1/

of cancelling Keystone XL . People went home today with no jobs. Biden retroactively vetoed for a pipeline that already exists. Installed last summer. (After Biden already said he would cancel, though, right?) 2/

He’s outraged that they didn’t even consult or communicate about it or even giving us a chance to communicate! I hate it when that happens! 3/

That’s not how you treat friends and allies, Kenney says. Does he hear himself? The point of Keystone XL was to improve the relationship between Canada and the U.S. (Not to make $ for investors, then?) 4/

He says there are objections over environmental concerns, then goes into Alberta’s amazing rankings on this (except for those pesky strip mines destroying our mountains?) 5/

Canada is part of the solution, but today’s decision was made without giving Canada to make that case, Kenney says. Imagine not giving a concerned party a chance to make their case! Outrage! 6/

He wants Trudeau to ask the new U.S. admin to sit down and discuss this. “Surely that is the least that our closest friend and ally owes Canada.” If they refuse a ‘constructive and respectful dialogue’ then the federal government MUST impose sanctions. RESPECT! 7/

It’s Trudeau’s fault everyone! Trudeau, not Kenney! 8/

Retroactive veto is the buzzword. RETROACTIVE veto. RETROACTIVE devastation. Now blaming a Liberal cabinet minister (Garneau) and Trudeau again. 9/

He is likening this to Trump’s threats to rip up NAFTA and threats to impose steel and aluminum tariffs. Trudeau’s government did not accept these decisions. They fought! 10/

Surely energy workers deserve at least as strong a defence. Again he wants a respectful dialogue. Respectful, but with threats. Because it’s an attack. 11/

Does Kenney regret his investment? Absolutely not. Any responsible Alberta government would have made the same decision. Now blaming NDP for crude by rail. They lost hundreds of millions. It’s worse than what UCP did! 12/

UCP was creating ‘facts on the ground’ with this pipeline. And there were foreign-funded campaigns to kill energy. This is also the Michigan governor’s fault too! 13/

Kenney laughs at the idea of retaliation. He says his economic guru Jack Mintz has a whole list of sanctions Canada could meaningfully impose. It’s a RETROACTIVE ATTACK! RETROACTIVE! 14/

This is a direct attack on the largest sector of the USA’s most important trading partner’s economy, Kenney says. One of Biden’s climate advisors has been very outspoken in her ‘desire to kill’ this pipeline, Kenney says. If, RETROACTIVELY rescinding a permit is validated 15/

and there is no pushback, it sets a precedent that they will use to land lock our energy. 16/

What do you expect Trudeau to do, given that this is a longstanding Biden campaign promise, a reporter asks? Kenney says again that Trump also promised to rip up NAFTA and Canada did not accept or respect that. 17/

Just because a foreign government is elected on a promise to damage our interests does not mean we should just accept it, Kenney says. Perhaps there’s only a ‘faint hope’ Kenney says, but he ‘absolutely respects the new president despite this insulting action today.’ 18/

Rick Bell: “What leads you to believe that Trudeau will actually do anything of a game changing nature on this file.” He says Albertans would be surprised if he did. If he does nothing, what will Kenney do? Kenney says Trudeau has publicly supported Keystone XL. 19/

Kenney is surprised to hear comments from Ottawa and Garneau that we should just accept it and express disappointment and that’s all. 20/x. (Mom duty calls. Must stop here)