Wildrose leader Brian Jean is calling on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to make a visit to the oilsands.
This after Trudeau made comments about ‘phasing out’ the oilsands as Canada becomes less dependent on fossil fuels.
Jean said Trudeau would never take on any other regionally-specific economic sector in Canada, and needs to meet with energy workers and have a real discussion about their issues.
“Mr. Trudeau seems to have some flawed ideas about the oil sands, so I think he should visit us up here in northern Alberta and find out what the oil sands truly mean to Fort McMurray, Alberta and all of Canada,” Jean said. “If the Prime Minister is truly committed to phasing out the oil sands, he will need to tell us to our faces, not from some perch in Ontario. I’d be happy to show him around and introduce him to the residents of our community.”
Premier Rachel Notley is taking the same approach, she posted a video message saying the oilsands won’t be going anywhere anytime soon.
Notley didn’t mention Trudeau by name, but noted the recent approval of pipelines and said the oilsands will power the global economy for generations to come.
Jean said Trudeau will be in Alberta for a Cabinet retreat in late January, and could plan a visit around then.
