I may be a simple political scientist, and not an economist, but I am unclear how increasing an ownership stake in a $26 billion facility doesn't cost you anything and in fact saves you $2 billion. I have questions.
I do know that former AB Finance Minister Ted Morton and @andrew_leach have been very critical of the Sturgeon refinery. Believe that they both used the word "boondoggle."
I also know that @jkenney in his CTF days and as UCP leader pre-2019 election rallied against govt investing in businesses. facebook.com/kenneyjasont/v…
I mean its not like they bought a pipeline....oh wait.
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I remain perplexed by the absence of Kenney (or even McIver) at today's Green Line announcement. They committed $1.5 billion (finalized only minutes before the press conference), but did not show up to the good news photo op. This is something that all politicians LOVE.
Yes Kenney dislikes Nenshi and Trudeau, but politicians normally put those aside for these type of ribbon cutting/sod turning/spending announcements.
Kenney's absence was conspicuous and becomes part of the story. It also opened the door for both Trudeau and Nenshi to criticize him (which they did). Had he been standing next to them, they would have kept quiet.
I just spoke to @edmontonjournal about this. Apparently it is now in the public domain. This could be worse than travel-gate because it is the Premier and Health Minister at the table.
Also, according to current covid restrictions: Outdoor gatherings must not have an indoor component (movement in/out of homes is not permitted).
So unless the ministers scaled the wall aka spiderman, they have violated another restriction.
Premier and the most important ministers: Shandro (health), Toews (finance), Nixon (environment and govt house leader). Celebrating the second dose announcement and re-opening plan.
I know there are people convinced that the public letter from 15 (now 17) UCP MLAs is some sort of 3D strategic chess from Kenney. I'm sorry I don't buy it. What Premier wants 25%+ of his caucus in public revolt over govt handling of the most important issue facing the province?
The letter reflects an internal battle within the UCP caucus for months that has now gone public. It also illustrates the rural/urban and ideological splits that we have seen in polling data.
This defiance also illustrates the dropping overall support of the UCP. You wouldn't get backbenchers going public like this if the UCP were leading in the polls.
Others will have better commentary on the business aspects of Encana's decision to move HQ to US. But here are some initial thoughts on the politics.
Alberta Energy Company was created as a provincial crown corporation by Lougheed to invest in oil & gas sector, but more importantly to ensure that the AB govt had a window on the sector.
In this respect, and despite their numerous major differences, Lougheed's motivations with AEC was similiar to Pierre Trudeau and Petro-Canada.
Some further thoughts on Kenney-Callaway collusion story. Reading the story, there are lots of names named. With one exception. Kenney clearly took steps to isolate himself from collusion efforts with Callaway. So far, its all of Kenney's men, but not Kenney himself.
Many party leadership races are dirty and nasty. Mulroney vs Clark. Chretien vs Martin. Closer to home Klein vs Betkowski. We even have examples of mid-range candidates coordinating before or after the ballot. But...
I have not seen the level of documentation of collusion between a front runner and a "kamikaze" candidate before. Callaway was recruited, staffed, and given strategic advice by the Kenney team. Sole purpose to attack Brian Jean and then quit race and support Kenney.