Apparent rift growing between Alberta and federal NDP
Posted Apr 11, 2016 7:24 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
A rift may be growing between the federal NDP and their counterparts in Alberta.
There’s disagreement over a proposed document, the ‘Leap Manifesto’, which, among other things, calls for no new pipeline construction, and a quick move to end reliance on fossil fuels.
Premier Rachel Notley is just one of many who voiced their objections to the plan.
Deputy Premier Sarah Hoffman says she was disappointed, but not totally surprised, by the document adding Albertans can hold their heads high knowing the premier and party stood up for the province.
“That’s what we expect of any provincial government, that they champion their local industries and the jobs that the want to create in that area,” she said. “This isn’t the first time that a prairie party has disagreed with a federal party on a matter and it probably won’t be the last.”
The plan now is to have riding associations across the country look at the manifesto and Hoffman expects those conversations will be short in Alberta.
“There are some pieces in it that I think a lot of us are open to but there certainly are pieces in it that we have no time for here in Alberta,” she said. “If we’ve got an industry that has the ability to put people to work during a tough economic time, we’re going to make sure we’re championing it, and finding ways to get people to work and our product to tidewater.”
However, she doesn’t think will this creates a situation where the two arms of the party start to distance themselves from each other.
“I imagine that there is time for reflection after anything that’s contentious, but certainly I don’t think this will lead to that outcome anytime soon,” said Hoffman.
Edmonton-Strathcona MP Linda Duncan also waded into the debate.
“The motion was, ‘Are we as a party going to get together and talk about the overall manifesto?’ which is, we need to bring together an equitable future for Canadians with a clean energy economy,” she said, adding all they voted on was to have that dialogue.
