Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi, fresh off a trip to South Korea on a fact-finding mission to get more information about a possible 2026 Winter Olympic bid, said he also met with officials who run a refinery.
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Nenshi said it was eye-opening to see the issue of access to Canadian energy from the other side of the pipeline and tanker bubble.
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“I had the opportunity to meet with folks in Korea who run a refinery that is perfectly suited for Alberta crude that are aching for the opportunity to have access to energy that comes from a place where they know environmental, labour and human rights standards are high,” the mayor said.
Nenshi said, as the conversation about Alberta energy has become stuck in a debate of oil versus wine, it’s important to remember this is not only an issue for Canadian prosperity but it’s also a global issue.
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“It’s an issue of energy access for the world in a way that it can lead to economic development but it can fight poverty and it can help with the transition to a lower-carbon economy.”
Speaking to members of Calgary city council at the start of their meeting on Tuesday, Nenshi said as B.C. and Alberta are stuck in a political war, “we’re really talking about an issue of prosperity for our nation and for the world. I think that is an important thing to remember.”
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