EDMONTON – Alberta’s former senior representative to the United States questioned the timing of his removal from the position–calling it “short-sighted”–and criticized the Alberta NDP government for sending “mixed messages” about the Keystone XL pipeline.
The NDP responded with a curt statement, suggesting he would be replaced “for reasons Mr. Merrifield has just demonstrated,” in apparent reference to his criticisms.
On Sept. 11, the Alberta government announced it would be terminating Rob Merrifield’s contract at the end of the month.
READ MORE: Alberta changing its U.S. representative, wants to move in different direction
On his final day on the job, Merrifield released a statement that explained his disagreement with the decision, primarily because of pending matters he has been working on, including the Keystone XL Pipeline and the U.S. country of origin meat labelling law. Read part of his statement below:
“We have won bi-partisan support for Keystone XL both in the American Senate and the House of Representatives. Although I expect a negative ruling by the president to be announced shortly, we are only four votes short of veto-proof legislation in the Senate.”
“Now is not a time to send mixed messages about Keystone XL. It is time to ensure our strong presence in Washington.”
“As the current federal election restricts the activities of the Canadian Embassy in Washington, pulling Alberta resources from this issue now is short-sighted. I am deeply concerned for our agricultural community – without strong advocacy, we may not see country of origin labelling repealed. And if it is not repealed, the WTO will ratify economic retaliation that could damage relationships between Canada and the United States.”
READ MORE: Keystone XL backers prepare reply to Obama rejection
Merrifield also discussed the Softwood Lumber Agreement, which is coming to full term Oct. 12. He believes a period of instability in the forest sector will follow, as the province renegotiates trade with the U.S.
“It is obvious that I have a different perspective than Alberta’s current government on market access, and it is natural for a new government to put their own person in this important international position. However, there is significant work in progress on a number of files of critical importance to Alberta’s long-term economic interests.”
Alberta NDP spokesperson Cheryl Oates issued the following statement in response:
“The government thanks Mr. Merrifield for his service, especially the work he did on COOL. We are looking to replace Mr. Merrifield with a professional diplomat, for reasons Mr. Merrifield has just demonstrated. Alberta’s office in Washington is very important to our government. It continues to operate and we will be announcing a new representative soon.”
Watch below: Gord Steinke speaks to Merrifield during Edmonton’s Early News
Merrifield, who is a former Conservative MP, was to stay on the job until Sept. 16, 2018 after being appointed last year by former premier Jim Prentice.
Merrifield’s salary was $243,000 a year. His contract did not include severance, according to a spokesperson from the premier’s office.
Agriculture Minister Oneil Carlier is to take over some of Merrifield’s work in the interim, including efforts to persuade Washington to repeal its meat labelling law, known as COOL, that has hurt Canada’s beef and pork industries.
On Thursday, the Canadian Strategy Group announced Merrifield had been hired as senior counsel.
With files from The Canadian Press
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