Bell: Smith writes Trudeau, urges Yes to natural gas for Japan
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Premier Danielle Smith fires off a letter to the prime minister.
She follows a long list of Alberta premiers who’ve fired off letters to prime ministers, betting on a long shot.
The letter is diplomatic but the aim is direct.
Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida meets with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau Thursday.
The Japanese are expected to tell Trudeau they want Canadian liquefied natural gas, LNG, to come their country’s way.
Lots of it. They want it. They need it. They’ve been dealing with Russia. Please, can’t Canada help? You get the picture.
The Germans approached Trudeau months ago on the same file. They got nowhere.
Put that in your No Surprise basket.
“I urge you to raise Alberta’s strong desire to supply affordable, sustainable and reliable energy to Japan,” writes Smith.
“We can be the supplier of choice for our global allies.”
Smith adds Alberta can be “a key contributor to Japan’s efforts to diversify its LNG supply to one that is responsibly developed by a key ally.”
“Alberta believes there is a strong business case for shipping responsibly produced energy to Japan and other allies.
“Alberta would be pleased to help the federal government develop the business case” for “the increased export of clean Albertan LNG.”
In this case, clean Albertan LNG to Japan.
Smith reminds Trudeau how Alberta leads the way on reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
She speaks of “despotic rulers” filling the energy supply vacuum.
The Alberta premier sees a win all the way around.
For many souls, this gas to Japan play would seem like a slam dunk, a no-brainer, a cakewalk of common sense.
Smith is one of those souls.
“Germany came here. They were a willing buyer but they didn’t find a willing seller.
“We have a willing buyer. We’re a willing seller. Let’s just not let this chance escape us like he did with the Germany deal.”
He, being Trudeau.
“That’s why it was important to put it on paper. I have to do whatever I can.”
What does Smith want Trudeau to say after he meets the Japanese prime minister?
Simple. That Canada has signed a memorandum of understanding with Japan to export LNG to them.
“It helps Japan. It helps Alberta. It helps Canada. It’s a great deal.”
That’s what Smith wants Trudeau to say.
Does she think he will?
“I live in hope. I hope we’re breaking through to him.”
The premier mentions this also helps the federal government. Money, money, money.
“They should really see this as an opportunity to mend fences.”
Smith also feels Trudeau needs to understand exporting LNG reduces global emissions.
So why is this so hard?
“It shouldn’t be so hard,” says Smith.
“This should not be a polarizing issue.”
Smith once again brings up the still-to-be-rolled out “just transition” plan from the Trudeau government, more green jobs for energy workers.
The premier believes using the words “just transition” is a big deal and may point to why even getting to the finish line with Japan on natural gas is so hard.
“The fact they used that language is offensive. That language is used by extreme environmentalists to talk about completely phasing out oil and natural gas workers.”
It suggests to Smith some Liberal MPs feel the same way.
What would the message be if the script was same-old, same-old and Trudeau cast himself in his usual predictable role and another thumbs-down?
“I don’t want to see that,” says Smith.
“We’ve got a global energy crisis. Alberta is ready to step up to be part of the solution. The prime minister needs to step up to be part of the solution.
“I want to believe the prime minister will put polarization and politics aside.”
How could this gas to Japan thing work?
Construction is already underway on an LNG terminal in Kitimat, B.C., primed for Asian customers but not done.
“My understanding is we have the ability to build more projects than that one,” says the premier.
“The federal government, working in partnership, would have the ability to accelerate the permitting and building process. They just have to have the political will to do so.”
Thursday is the day where we find out what Trudeau says.
Smith says it should actually be an easy decision for him.
“Let’s see if he does the right thing,” she says.
Yes, let’s see.
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