The British Columbia government has filed a lawsuit challenging legislation that empowers Alberta’s energy minister to require licenses for transport of energy away from the province.
The Alberta Legislative Assembly passed Bill 12 this month in response to BC opposition to expansion by Kinder Morgan of the Trans Mountain Pipeline between Edmonton and Burnaby, BC (OGJ Online, May 17, 2018).
Alberta officials have threatened to block deliveries of crude oil and oil products to BC.
The lawsuit, filed in the Court of Queen’s Bench of Alberta, argues that the law is unconstitutional because it aims to discriminate against BC.
David Eby, the BC attorney-general, said his province would file an immediate injunction against any attempt by Albert to apply Bill 12.