Self-Interest or Sovereignty?

Quebec and Alberta Need to Wake Up

As someone who doesn’t reside in either Quebec or Alberta, but did for ten years, listening to the two provinces in Canada that show little commitment to Canadian Sovereignty, it is more than just a little bit aggravating that these provinces continually place their self-interest above Canadian sovereignty.

At a time when Canada is being attacked in terms of trade, and where Quebec, in particular has benefited from the rest of Canada every year in relation to transfer payments for health and services, it not only seems counter-intuitive, but obviously is.

But, for those who are French Canadian, they have always placed their ‘self-interest’ above Canada’s, threatening secession whenever they don’t get more than their fair share.

And, as I suggested, it is counterintuitive for Quebec, as the future, along with its previous history, is changing. Hydro power and electricity, are not guaranteed, as climate change illustrates with ever greater frequency.

Quebec’s hydro resources are becoming less secure as climate change impacts weather systems that would surcharge Quebec’s hydro dams, yet Quebec still suggests, as late as today, that it has the right to veto any pipeline access across the province.

Maybe, just maybe, it’s time for Canada to lower the transfer payments to Quebec, until such time as it allows pipelines. Either that, or forget Quebec entirely and build a new pipeline through Churchill, Manitoba, since climate change is opening the Northwest Passage.

As for Alberta, it would be nice if the Province could actually act like a part of Canada, instead of Texas. If Alberta wants to join the U.S., then Canada should let it. In virtually no time, Trump would suck it dry and still not give Alberta statehood. It could become the Guam of the North. A title few, if any Albertans would welcome.

Alberta has the highest per capita income in the country, yet it still whines with regularity, because it doesn’t ‘get enough’. If it had been serious about building a long-term ‘heritage fund’, like Norway, it would have hundreds of billions of dollars in the fund, instead of 25 billion.

Not to mention that Norway and Statoil have amassed more than a Trillion dollars over the same period, on half the oil pumped.

Alberta’s deal with American Oil interests has led to receiving nothing but condescension and arrogance from America, while selling oil at a heavily discounted price to American interests in Texas and Louisiana.

Not to mention the Danielle Smith, the consummate shill for American oil interests has no interest in being Canadian as she simply denigrates and feigns national interest when it serves her purposes.

If Churchill, Manitoba gets the green light, it holds promise for Canada’s relationship with the EU, as well as much shorter routes to market for all commodities, such as fertilizer, grain, and even mineral wealth from Northern Ontario’s ‘Ring of Fire’.

Smith wants nothing more than to join the U.S., constantly invoking the spectre of separation from Canada, which as any economist will tell her, is ludicrous. Landlocked, with no guarantee of cooperation, never mind collaboration, British Columbians have no reason to enable benefits that only serve the interests of Alberta.

It’s time for Canadian provinces to put aside their self-interest and plan for a future that benefits all Canadians, not just select locations where self-interest is obviously at play.

Again, just today, Quebec illustrates by both its words and actions, that like Trump, it is interested in its self-interest, before that of the national that has been, most generous to Quebec.

Maybe it’s no longer a question of Quebec, at all. Maybe it’s time for Canada to simply go ahead with a new pipeline, railroad, and highway from Alberta to the Port of Churchill and a new shipping terminal/oil terminal offshore in Hudson’s Bay. Maybe then, Quebec can count its blessings that Canada still provides equalization payments to Quebec, at all.

As for the Prime Minister? Move on those projects that make Canada more self-sufficient and enrich all Canadians.

Approve the Manitoba/Churchill pipeline and terminal. It will serve the interests of mining, agriculture, fertilizer production, oil and gas, along with Northern Ontario’s shorter connection to tidewater that gets its mineral wealth in the Ring of Fire to the orient and Europe in half the time it presently takes.

it’s time for the naysayers in Quebec and Alberta to put up, or shut up.