Canada Pipeline Feud Hits B.C. Wine Purchases

 

British Columbia proposed rules last week to temporarily block increased oil shipments through the province, adding another hurdle to Kinder Morgan Canada's planned C$7.4 billion Trans Mountain pipeline expansion.

 

Alberta's New Democrat Premier Rachel Notley said the Alberta Gaming & Liquor Control Board, which is the distributor for all liquor retailers in the province, will immediately stop importing British Columbia wine.

 

"This is one good step to waking B.C. up that they can't attack our industry without a response," Notley said at a news conference.

 

British Columbia Premier John Horgan responded by saying that his Pacific Coast province had every right to take steps to protect its land and waters, and that if Alberta disagreed it should make that argument in court.

 

"I urge Alberta to step back from this threatening position," Horgan said in a statement. "We stand with B.C. wine producers and will respond to the unfair trade actions announced today."

 

Horgan did not say what that response would be.

 

Notley's move affects C$70 million ($56 million) in annual sales by British Columbia wineries, a pittance compared with the value of the country's oil sector. But it illustrates the high stakes for Canada's energy industry if new pipelines are not built and the fierce environmental opposition against them.

 

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who has approved the pipeline expansion, said last week that he would ensure the project gets built.

 

Experts disagree over whether British Columbia has authority to block inter-provincial transport, which is a federal jurisdiction. However, the move by the province's left-leaning New Democrat government adds a potential snag to a project that is already a year behind schedule.