Alberta Premier Rachel Notley to speak to Senate committee on energy projects

EDMONTON – Alberta Premier Rachel Notley is to make her case in person to a Senate committee studying proposed legislation that would change how major energy projects are approved.

Notley is to appear before the energy, environment and natural resources committee on Thursday.

She and her government have already spoken out against Bill C-69, which has passed in the House of Commons and is now before the Senate.

The bill proposes a new way of handling environmental assessments on large natural resource projects, including oil pipelines and mining operations.

Notley has said she is concerned the changes would impinge on a provincial right to manage resources.

She also has said the proposed rules and timelines could be so onerous they would discourage companies from pursuing mega-projects.