STUDEnTS TOUR B.C. AnD ALBERTA 21
AUGUST 7, 2013
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Premiers group marks truce
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Carole Rooney Free Press
British Columbia Premier Christy Clark and Alberta Premier Alison Redford have collaborated to appoint a resource export market working group. In establishing the working group, the premiers identified a shared goal of opening new markets and expanding export opportunities for oil, gas and other resources. It will be led by the two top energy officials from each province to develop recommendations to grow energy exports and open new export markets, and present them to the premiers later this year. Cariboo-Chilcotin MLA Donna Barnett says she thinks the premiers’ cooperative plan is a “good step forward.” “Canada is an energy exporter in many ways. The more we can work together to benefit all of us, I think the better off we are.” She adds unless the provinces collaborate, they won’t accomplish their goals in the end and bring new revenue streams to Western Canada. “It is extremely important to expand markets for our
energy and our resource industries. That’s what has built the country and the province.” Behind the working group scheme, however, is a move to improve a strained relationship between the country’s two westernmost premiers, as well as toward more resource development. Clark stated as much to media when she and Redford announced the working group at the conclusion of the Council of the Federation meeting at Niagara-on-theLake on July 26. Clark and Redford have “bumped heads” on several occasions over resource issues, most notably Enbridge’s Northern Gateway Pipeline project proposed to run crude oil (bitumen) through B.C. from the Alberta border to Kitimat. Says Barnett: “I find this a good start to mending fences. But, I do know the premier is not going to go off her stance on the Enbridge ‘five commitments’. “Now, we’ll have to wait and see the report these staff members are going to provide us with, and hopefully there are some positive recommendations in there that help both provinces.”
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BULLS 9, RIDERS 0
Chris Nickless photo
Although Canim Lake bull rider George Archie tried to hold on for eight seconds, his bull, Six Pack, came out the winner, as did all of the bulls at the Interlakes Rodeo on Aug. 3. There were good crowds for the two-day 23rd Annual Interlakes BCRA Rodeo.
Prosperity mine parties parley South Cariboo-based representatives spoke on mine aspects ranging from the economy to the environment at the New Prosperity Mine general public hearings July 22-25. Both sides of the project, as well as the middle ground, were presented in Williams Lake where opponents and proponents were balanced by local government looking to heal the community rift and move forward. The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency review panel hearings offered an opportunity for the public to voice their opinions on
General hearings stage various views
Taseko Mines Ltd.’s proposed project at Fish Lake, before it moved on to topic-specific hearings on July 26. South Cariboo Chamber of Commerce (SCCC) vice-president Leon Chretien was one of the local businessmen who addressed the panel at the general hearings. The overall SCCC perspective - put forward
by Chretien and director Rick Takagi - was that economic diversification is needed to alleviate the pressure on local forestry, tourism and ranching industries. However, Chretien says he mostly spoke about cultural perspectives. “I come from a First Nations background (from my great-grandmother), as well as a French background that actually dates back to the mid-1600s [in Canada]. “So, I was just building the fact that we all come Continued on 4