Dear editor:
During last week’s debate, Bloc leader Yves-Francois Blanchet stated an important position for his party and more generally, the province of Quebec. He said he was very willing to be a partner for Canada if he felt Quebec’s jurisdictional authority was being respected.
The point was also raised that Quebec society now views an Energy East pipeline project favourably. In fact, a recent La Presse poll has 59 per cent of Quebecers in favour. Even more, 61 per cent were in favour of the GNL Quebec Gas project (Saguenay Liquefaction).
An Energy East pipeline would significantly benefit Canada by diversifying its energy markets, reducing its dependence on U.S. exports, while stimulating economic growth in Eastern Canada. It would provide a direct route for crude oil from Western Canada to Eastern refineries and export terminals, bypassing the need to ship oil through the United States.
So what’s in it for Quebec?
First: Equalization payment stability. Quebec has historically received about half of all federal equalization funding. Since 2010, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia and Newfoundland & Labrador have been the perennial contributors, with Ontario chipping in for only four years.
In fact, Alberta has not received a penny in equalization in 60 years. That relative wealth and Quebec’s equalization “dividend” would be in jeopardy if western provinces were impeded in their ability to monetize their natural resources.
Second: The Trump factor. President Trump’s aggressive “Global Trade Reset” and tariffs have laid bare the exposure Quebec faces without a strong Canada. A strong Canada needs a strong economy. A strong Canadian economy is driven by resource projects — oil, gas, mining, minerals, lumber and others. It’s been our history and it will define our future.
With Mark Carney’s unwavering allegiance to the Paris Accord and Net Zero, Pierre Poilievre is the only candidate who can unequivocally and enthusiastically navigate the path that would see Quebec partnering with Canada to achieve what arguably would be the most important national project since the Trans-Canadian Railway.
Energy East. This is what nation-building can look like!
Don Mustill
NOTL
