REGINA – Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall made waves earlier in the week, suggesting equalization payments should “start flowing through a pipeline.”
He was defending the oil and gas industry, saying it seems as if Canada’s energy resources are being viewed as a liability.
Wall didn’t relent after arriving in St. John’s, Newfoundland, at the annual summer meeting of his counterparts.
“Can you imagine Saudi Arabia releasing an energy strategy for their country and listing wind energy ahead of their oil assets?” Wall said to the reporters Thursday.
These both led Alberta Premier Rachel Notley to accuse him of showboating, to which Wall shot back: “If standing up for your industry and your province is showboating, take me to the bridge.”
By Friday, there was no need. The morning began with smiles, appearing as if Wall got what he wanted out of a national energy strategy.
READ MORE: Premiers sign National Energy Strategy after impasse
“We had a meeting and had some pretty frank discussions,” Wall said. “I guess that’s what has changed.”
‘Just politics’
What does it all mean? Is Wall losing friends by making noise in the national spotlight?
It’s all part of the political game – and isn’t likely to upset fellow premiers, according to MacEwan University political scientist Chaldeans Mensah.
“Wall is facing an election, so he’s playing to the home team, defending the oil sector,” Mensah said.
He points to Wall’s position as the only premier remaining in western Canada with conservative values, since Notley’s NDP formed a new government Alberta.
Mensah believes Wall may be trying to take advantage of that provinces pending review of resource royalties.
“He perceives this new NDP government in Alberta as a bit of an uncertain partner,” Mensah said. “I think eventually reality will set in that the two have to work together to promote the long-term interests of both provinces.”
Saskatchewan’s interests
In a wrap-up news conference, Wall was asked if he thinks Saskatchewan has lost Alberta as an ally at the national level.
“Whether or not other provinces agree with our position, I plan to represent the interests of the province,” Wall said.
Mensah doesn’t believe the Alberta-Saskatchewan relationship as part of the New West Partnership will be hindered.
If Wall does lose friends at the premiers’ table, he may be making new ones in the oil industry.
Comments