Proposed pipeline fuels war of words between Alberta, British Columbia

VANCOUVER – British Columbia Premier Christy Clark says if Alberta won’t give B.C. a bigger share of the benefits from the proposed Northern Gateway oilsands pipeline, the project will not go ahead.

Clark says she is ready to fight for British Columbia and she’s ready to talk about B.C.’s five minimum requirements for support of the $5.5-billion proposal to carry oil from Alberta to a tanker port in Kitimat, B.C.

Clark says increased compensation is justified because it’s risky to transport heavy oil, but the current arrangement would see B.C. carrying almost all the risk of a land or sea spill.

Alberta Premier Alison Redford says British Columbia is changing confederation by demanding increased compensation for the Northern Gateway project.

Redford told reporters at a pancake breakfast this morning she is disappointed in Clark.

She says provinces have always had rights over their resources and Alberta will not share its royalties.