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Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff touted Saturday the economic virtues and national reach of Alberta`s oilsands, urging Canadians to take pride in the mammoth industrial development, which has touched off international environmental opposition.
Speaking at a party fundraiser Stampede breakfast in Calgary, Ignatieff said financial ripples from the oilsands can be felt throughout the country -- from East Coast workers flying to Alberta for jobs to a northern Ontario factory making pipes for the oilpatch in Alberta and Saskatchewan.
He also said Canada`s "centre of economic gravity" will shift west to Calgary within his lifetime.
"The one instinct I`ve had from the beginning about the industry at the heart of this economy is this is a national industry -- a national industry in which all Canadians should take pride," Ignatieff told about 600 Grit supporters at the Calgary Zoo.
"The Liberal Party of Canada must never, ever, ever run against that industry or against Alberta."
Ignatieff acknowledged several environmental and social challenges may be thwarting a national embrace of the oilsands.
The massive development is a significant producer of greenhouse gases and toxic waste ponds.
Mount Royal College political scientist Duane Bratt noted Ignatieff`s continuing overtures to Alberta and the oilpatch are a "clear repudiation" of the policy plank former leader Stephane Dion put forward for the October 2008 federal election: the Green Shift carbon tax plan.
Read teh full article here.
Speaking at a party fundraiser Stampede breakfast in Calgary, Ignatieff said financial ripples from the oilsands can be felt throughout the country -- from East Coast workers flying to Alberta for jobs to a northern Ontario factory making pipes for the oilpatch in Alberta and Saskatchewan.
He also said Canada`s "centre of economic gravity" will shift west to Calgary within his lifetime.
"The one instinct I`ve had from the beginning about the industry at the heart of this economy is this is a national industry -- a national industry in which all Canadians should take pride," Ignatieff told about 600 Grit supporters at the Calgary Zoo.
"The Liberal Party of Canada must never, ever, ever run against that industry or against Alberta."
Ignatieff acknowledged several environmental and social challenges may be thwarting a national embrace of the oilsands.
The massive development is a significant producer of greenhouse gases and toxic waste ponds.
Mount Royal College political scientist Duane Bratt noted Ignatieff`s continuing overtures to Alberta and the oilpatch are a "clear repudiation" of the policy plank former leader Stephane Dion put forward for the October 2008 federal election: the Green Shift carbon tax plan.
Read teh full article here.