The two-week boycott of B.C. wine by the Alberta government is over.
Alberta Premier Rachel Notley made the announcement on Thursday afternoon, an hour after B.C. Premier John Horgan said his government would turn to the courts on the question of whether it could implement a temporary ban on increased exports of bitumen from Alberta, the issue that sparked the disagreement.
"In a small way, B.C. blinked," said Notley.
Her remarks came after Horgan told reporters earlier Thursday he hoped pushing the matter to the courts would temporarily resolve the conflict.
"This is intended to have cooler heads prevail. We believe the rule of law is important in this country," said Horgan.
"The contentious point that was drawing the ire of the province of Alberta and some consternation from the federal government will be put to the courts. We want to make sure British Columbia as a government is focused on the issues that matter to them."
The contentious point was the fifth of five proposed regulations the B.C. government said could take place after consultations on oil spills. It concerned restrictions on diluted bitumen transportation, and the province raised the possibility of an interim ban on increases while an advisory panel explored the issue.
B.C. is now consulting with its lawyers about how to proceed, but any submission to the federal courts will be done without a joint submission by the federal government
"We will be framing the question and proceeding to court in short order," Horgan said. "We made overtures to the federal government. They were disinclined to join us."
from CBC | Top Stories News http://ift.tt/2BKAGZf
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