C-69 is not only bad legislation; it is an unconscionable interference with property rights. If the federal government plans to change fundamental property rights it should do so openly, and give every citizen an opportunity to participate in what is
Liberal organizer Keith Davey, during a 1980 election, coined the slogan “Screw the west, we’ll take the rest”. The election brought back Pierre Trudeau and his government installed the notorious National Energy Program (NEP). NEP damaged Alberta and the oil-rich west, bringing in the infamous bumper stickers: “Let the eastern bastards freeze in the dark”. Trudeau damaged more than the western economy with his cynical legislation - he seriously aggravated a longstanding suspicion in the west that the Liberal Party was more vampire than friend.
Pierre’s son is doing it again with Bill C-69. This legislation, meant to replace the then National Energy Board (NEB), adds to the existing mountain of regulations (and other obstacles) that stand in the way of oil and gas pipelines and other vital energy projects. Environmental and Indigenous “duty to consult” requirements - already onerous - will become almost impossible to meet.
