Heading to the annual premiers’ conference in Halifax in 2002,
for example, Alberta Premier Ralph Klein complained that Quebec,
developing its hydro power, was hypocritically targeting Alberta’s
emissions from the oilsands: “We should also consider the environmental
impact of other forms of green energy, hydro power in particular, and
the impact that the development of huge dams and reservoirs could have
on the environment.”
for example, Alberta Premier Ralph Klein complained that Quebec,
developing its hydro power, was hypocritically targeting Alberta’s
emissions from the oilsands: “We should also consider the environmental
impact of other forms of green energy, hydro power in particular, and
the impact that the development of huge dams and reservoirs could have
on the environment.”
Quebec Premier Bernard Landry in turn
accused Klein of playing cynical provincial politics by trying to
downplay the significance of global warming: “It’s an international
problem related to the future of mankind, so we must not link that to
self-serving interests.”
This should have been a warning flag
for Alberta. One of its most steady allies on so many other issues was
digging in its heels on human-made climate change.
Canada and the world was changing; Alberta wasn’t.