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Alberta

US lawmakers and citizens voice preference for Canada to replace Russian imports via Keystone XL revival

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President Biden cancelled major pipeline from Canada on his first day in office

From The Canadian Energy Centre Ltd. 

On the heels of President Biden’s ban on the import of all Russian oil and gas products, a new poll shows that 71 per cent of Americans think Biden should reverse his decision to cancel the Keystone XL pipeline, while 64 per cent believe Canadian production should replace Russian oil.  

The U.S. bought  640,000 barrels per day on average of oil and petroleum products from Russia between July and December, according to the latest data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration.   

The Keystone XL pipeline would have had capacity to ship 830,000 barrels per day from Western Canada to the U.S. refineries, starting in 2023.  

Instead of looking to America’s largest trading partner, Canada, to increase oil exports, the White House is turningto regimes like Saudi Arabia, Iran and Venezuela.   

Maintaining a secure and reliable supply of energy products has never been more important.   

US leaders continue to challenge the year-old decision to cancel the Keystone XL pipeline expansion project, calling for its reinstatement.  

Here’s what they had to say this week:   

 

Senator John Boozman (AR) tweeted 

Pulling the plug on the Keystone XL Pipeline hurt Americans. It cost 1000s of jobs—many in Arkansas—and a cleaner, faster energy supply. Restarting this project & opening up domestic oil & gas deposits will benefit American consumers & our allies abroad. 

Senator Shelley Moore Capito (WV) tweeted 

Why are West Virginians paying more at the pump? 

– No domestic production on federal lands 

– Cancelation of Keystone XL pipeline 

– Anti-fossil fuel policies 

– Record inflation 

– Pipeline buildout prevention 

Decisions have consequences, @potus, and it’s time to take responsibility.  

Senator Bill Hagerty (TN) tweeted 

Biden should be announcing today that we’re reopening the Keystone XL Pipeline, that we’re going to be drilling on federal lands. We need to become energy independent again now—not driving up prices around the world & fueling Vladimir Putin’s war machine. 

And 

Instead of ineffective green energy fanaticism, the Biden Administration needs to come out and clearly state that we’re going to reopen the Keystone XL pipeline, that we’re going to get back in the energy business, and that we’re going to become energy independent again. 

And 

Biden’s work with our adversaries for energy has to stop! And we could stop it—re-open the Keystone XL pipeline, DRILL, get back in the energy business, & remove this massive lever that Vladimir Putin has over the American economy. Biden could and should do this TODAY. 

Senator Ron Johnson (WI) tweeted 

When President Biden got into office, he canceled the Keystone XL Pipeline, ignored the crisis at the southern border, and pushed for out-of-control government spending that sparked inflation rates we haven’t seen in decades. Democrat policies have weakened America. 

Senator Rick Scott (FL) tweeted 

Joe Biden’s war on American energy is why gas prices have skyrocketed. Does he care that this hurts working families? Nope.  

Biden has been bragging about his failed policies, like killing the Keystone Pipeline. Americans can’t afford this shameful indifference. #BidensPriceHike 

RT: @MikeKBerg “Joe Biden on the campaign trail: “I guarantee you, I guarantee you we are going to end fossil fuel.” Now gas prices are at record highs and Biden says his policies aren’t to blame? 

Senator Roger Wicker (MS) said 

President Biden’s hostile plans for American energy came into view in 2019 when he told his far-left supporters, “I guarantee you, we are going to end fossil fuel.” Since taking office, he has been working overtime to cut production of U.S. oil, natural gas, and coal. Last year, he ended the Keystone XL pipeline project, halted new oil and gas leases on federal lands and waters, banned drilling in oil-rich parts of Alaska, and rejoined the Paris Climate Agreement, all of which will kill American energy jobs. These decisions have driven up energy costs and made it harder for us to absorb recent price surges stemming from Putin’s war in Ukraine. 

Republican House Leader Kevin McCarthy (CA) said 

Under President Biden’s leadership, energy imports from Russia increased by 34%. This administration has not only stalled oil and natural gas exports to our allies, but has blocked further energy transportation infrastructure in the U.S., like the Keystone XL Pipeline, while supporting projects abroad, like Russia’s Nord Stream 2 pipeline. With investments in our own pipeline infrastructure, American refineries could have easy access to Canadian crude oil instead of Russian oil.   

Rep. Troy Balderson (OH) tweeted 

Bad for American energy independence: 

Canceling Keystone XL Pipeline 

Halting energy leases on federal lands 

Greenlighting Russia’s Nord Stream 2 

Begging OPEC for oil 

Punishing producer w/ new taxes and fees 

Rep. Lauren Boebert (CO) tweeted: 

My bill, H.R. 7012, restarts the Keystone Pipeline, allows responsible drilling in ANWR, expedites LNG exports, restarts O&G leasing, provides ammo to Ukraine, and actually bans oil and gas imports from Russia, Iran, and Venezuela. This is the real solution America needs! 

Rep. Kat Cammack (FL) tweeted: 

There was no funding for authorizing the restart of the Keystone pipeline, and this administration has not approved a single permit since they took office.  

We need to get serious about domestic energy production.  

Rep. Randy Feenstra (IA) tweeted 

During my 39 county tour stops, Iowans tell me they want America to be energy independent again. We should build the Keystone XL Pipeline and increase ethanol and biodiesel. It’s time to end our reliance on foreign energy! #IA04 

Rep. Mark Green (TN) tweeted: 

By blocking our own pipeline but allowing others, Joe Biden has made it clear that both climate change and American jobs are just a political game to him. 

Rep. Lisa McClain (MI) tweeted: 

One of President Biden’s first actions in office was to shut down the Keystone XL pipeline.  

As much as gas prices right now are a result of Putin’s war, they’re also a direct result of Biden’s poor policies.  

Rep. Elise Stefanik (NY) tweeted: 

On his first day in office, Joe Biden made his anti-energy agenda clear. 

He ended the Keystone XL pipeline and launched his war on American energy independence. 

Rep. Claudia Tenney (NY) tweeted: 

What should Biden do to increase energy production?  

  End his freeze on new oil and gas projects  

  Restart construction of Keystone XL Pipeline  

  Fast-track pending export permits for liquified natural gas (LNG) 

Rep. Bruce Westerman (AR) tweeted 

@POTUS can’t gaslight the American people into believing Putin is the only reason for increased gas prices. 

Gas prices started to rise from Biden’s first day in office when he launched his war on American energy. 

He made this bed. Now we have to lie in it. 

Governor Greg Abbott (TX) tweeted: 

New poll: Large majority of Americans unhappy with Biden’s handling of high gas prices. 

Ya think? 

He caused it when he closed pipelines & canceled oil & gas permits. 

If you stop production and transportation of oil, the price of gas goes up. 

Alberta

Former senior financial advisor charged with embezzling millions from Red Deer area residents

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News release from Alberta RCMP

Former senior financial advisor charged for misappropriating nearly $5 million from clients

On April 4, 2024, the RCMP’s Provincial Financial Crime Team charged a Calgary resident for fraud-related offences after embezzling millions of dollars from his clients while serving as a senior financial advisor.

Following a thorough investigation, the accused is alleged to have fraudulently withdrawn funds from client accounts and deposited them into bank accounts he personally controlled. A total of sixteen victims were identified in the Red Deer area and suffered a combined loss of nearly $5 million.

Marc St. Pierre, 52, a resident of Calgary, was arrested and charged with:

  • Fraud over $5,000 contrary to section 380(1)(a) of the Criminal Code; and,
  • Theft over $5,000 contrary to section 344(a) of the Criminal Code.

St. Pierre is scheduled to appear in Red Deer Provincial Court on May 14, 2024.

“The ability for financial advisors to leverage their position to conduct frauds and investment scams represents a significant risk to the integrity of Alberta’s financial institutions. The investigation serves as an important reminder for all banking clients to regularly check their accounts for any suspicious activity and to report it to their bank’s fraud prevention team.”

  • Sgt. John Lamming, Provincial Financial Crime Team

The Provincial Financial Crime Team is a specialized unit that conducts investigations relating to multi-jurisdictional serious fraud, investments scams and corruption.

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Alberta

Political parties will be part of municipal elections in Edmonton and Calgary pilot projects

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Alberta’s government is introducing legislation to ensure Albertans can rely on transparent, free and fair elections, and municipally-elected officials have clearer accountability measures.

In a democratic society, Albertans expect their local elections to be free and fair, and their elected officials to be held to account by clear rules that govern their local councils. The Municipal Affairs Statutes Amendment Act proposes amendments to the Local Authorities Election Act (LAEA) and the Municipal Government Act (MGA) to add greater transparency to local election processes and ensure local councils and elected officials continue to remain accountable to the citizens who elected them.

“Our government is committed to strengthening Albertans’ trust in their local governments and the democratic process that elects local leaders. The changes we are making increase transparency for Alberta voters and provide surety their votes will be counted accurately. We know how important local democracy is to Albertans, and we will work with local authorities to protect and enhance the integrity of local elections.”

Ric McIver, Minister of Municipal Affairs

Local Authorities Election Act

Albertans expect free and fair elections and that’s why it’s important we strengthen the rules that govern local elections. To strengthen public trust in local elections, Alberta’s government will eliminate the use of electronic tabulators and other automated voting machines. All Albertans should be able to trust the methods and results of local elections; requiring all ballots to be counted by hand, clarifying rules and streamlining processes for scrutineers will provide voters greater assurance in the integrity of the results.

All eligible Albertans should be able to vote in local elections without impediment. Alberta’s government will limit the barriers for eligible voters to cast a ballot by expanding the use of special ballots. Currently, special ballots can only be requested for very specific reasons, including physical disability, absence from the municipality, or for municipal election workers. By expanding the use of special ballots, the government is encouraging more voter participation.

Amendments in the Municipal Affairs Statutes Amendment Act would increase transparency in local elections by enabling political parties at the local level. Political parties would be enabled in a pilot project for Edmonton and Calgary. The act will not require candidates to join a political party in order to run for a local or municipal office, but will create the opportunity to do so.

In addition, proposed changes to the Local Authorities Election Act would allow municipalities the option to require criminal record checks for local candidates, thus increasing transparency and trust in candidates who may go on to become elected officials.

Municipal Government Act

The role of an elected official is one with tremendous responsibility and expectations. Changes proposed to the Municipal Government Act (MGA) will strengthen the accountability of locally elected officials and councils. These include requiring mandatory orientation training for councillors, allowing elected officials to recuse themselves for real or perceived conflicts of interest without third-party review and requiring a councillor’s seat to become vacant upon disqualification.

If passed, the Municipal Affairs Statutes Amendment Act will also unlock new tools to build affordable and attainable housing across Alberta. Proposed amendments under the MGA would also create more options for municipalities to accelerate housing developments in their communities. Options include:

  • Exempting non-profit, subsidized affordable housing from both municipal and education property taxes;
  • Requiring municipalities to offer digital participation for public hearings about planning and development, and restricting municipalities from holding extra public hearings that are not already required by legislation; and
  • Enabling municipalities to offer multi-year residential property tax exemptions.

Municipal Affairs will engage municipalities and other partners over the coming months to hear perspectives and gather feedback to help develop regulations.

Quick facts

  • The LAEA establishes the framework for the conduct of elections in Alberta municipalities, school divisions, irrigation districts and Metis Settlements.
  • The MGA establishes the rules governing the conduct of local elected officials once on council, as well as the overall administration and operation of municipal authorities in Alberta, including any policy those authorities may wish to implement.

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