ABOVE THE FOLD
BELT-BUCKLE DIPLOMACY — Ontario Premier DOUG FORD and Alberta Premier DANIELLE SMITH teamed up in Calgary to swap belt buckles, sign energy MOUs, and throw polite elbows at Prime Minister MARK CARNEY.
There was plenty of national unity talk, airing of Western grievances and pipeline pressure to go around. Here are the flashpoints from the Ford-Smith show:
On pipelines: “We have to stop being reliant on our neighbours to the South,” Ford said. “We have the governor of Michigan constantly threatening to close down the pipeline. Do you know the disaster that would create in Ontario? It would basically shut down Pearson International Airport, largest airport in the country. Prices will go through the roof. I’m tired of relying on the United States.” Both Premiers are all-in on pipeline expansion in every direction, including James Bay.
On federal red tape, which Carney has vowed to cut in the name of making Canada an energy superpower, despite Indigenous concerns: “When I m…