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Quebec premier doesn’t understand Alberta’s energy industry: Ceci

Dec 11, 2018 | 6:44 AM

OTTAWA- Alberta finance minister Joe Ceci says Quebec’s premier lacks understanding about Alberta’s energy industry.

Ceci made the remark ahead of a federal-provincial finance ministers’ meeting yesterday in Ottawa.

Quebec Premier Francois Legault said a few days ago that there’s no social acceptability for a pipeline that would carry what he called dirty energy through his province.

Ceci says all of Canada’s economy will benefit if Alberta can transport its oil to international markets, and he insists pipelines are the safest way to get crude to coastal ports.

Quebec is also dismissing complaints from Alberta about the province’s share of the federal equalization-funding pie, calling it pre-election posturing on the part of the Notley government.

The equalization program is under fire after it was learned Alberta — despite dealing with an oil price crisis — failed to qualify to receive payments from Ottawa.

There was quick anger in Alberta that Quebec will see its payment from the almost 20-billion-dollar program rise nearly 1.4-billion to about 13-billion-dollars next year.

Quebec will receive two-thirds of the entire national envelope, even though its government is predicting a budgetary surplus.

(The Canadian Press)