By Charles Lefebvre

Kenney will formally challenge Bill C-69 if elected Premier

Apr 9, 2019 | 2:48 PM

CALGARY, AB — United Conservative Party leader Jason Kenney says if he is elected, he will formally launch a constitutional challenge of Bill C-69.

Kenney made the announcement during a pro-pipeline rally in Calgary on Tuesday. The Senate Energy Committee is in the city for hearings about the controversial bill.

The bill, which is still being discussed in the Senate, would replace the National Energy Board with a new organization, the Canadian Energy Regulator and create an impact Assessment Agency. The bill would also introduce new timelines for energy projects and require specific steps for projects. Critics of the bill say it will result in less investment in natural resources in Canada.

Kenney sent a letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, calling Bill C-69 “a federal sucker punch to an already-reeling Alberta economy,” and saying it violates the Canadian Constitution, specifically Section 92A, which gives provinces exclusive jurisdiction to regulate the exploration and development of natural resources such as oil and gas.

“Bill C-69 is a full frontal attack on a power that Premier Lougheed won following an epic battle with Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau,” Kenney said in a statement. “Alberta never would have agreed to the patriation of the Constitution in 1982 were it not for the inclusion of this key constitutional power. And now Justin Trudeau wants to undo that historic bargain by invading our provincial jurisdiction through a law that will make it virtually impossible to get another pipeline approved.”

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Kenney also wrote to the chair of the Senate’s Standing Committee on Energy, urging them to defeat the legislation.