Amid Alberta referendum questions, Houston says Canada is better united
Premier says N.S. doing its part for national unity by pursuing resource development
Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston says he's not given much thought to whether legislation advanced by his counterpart in Alberta would make it easier for that province to leave Canada, but he believes the country is stronger if it remains united.
"The premier will do what she thinks is right for Albertans. That's what premiers do," Houston told reporters following a news conference Tuesday.
"So I have respect for each of us having our own challenges and responsibilities and trying to find our best way through them."
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith's government recently introduced legislation that would lower the threshold required to get a referendum question before the public.
The bill comes at a time when some Albertans are advocating for the province to separate from Canada to become its own country and Smith has called on Prime Minister Mark Carney to reset the relationship between Ottawa and her province.
Houston said Tuesday he's "focused on a united Canada."
"That's what's best," he said. "The things that are within our control, we'll do those."
- Alberta is changing the rules to make referendums easier. Here's how
- Alberta amends referendum bill as First Nations fear it will trample treaty rights
Houston said his government is doing its part "to maintain natural unity" through a more aggressive advancement of natural resource development opportunities than what's been seen by previous Nova Scotia governments.
"We've looked away while people in the West developed resources," he said. "We're going to address that."
Premier supports pipeline
The Progressive Conservatives recently passed legislation to lift bans on uranium exploration and mining and hydraulic fracturing for onshore natural gas. Houston has also been a vocal supporter for a west-to-east pipeline to move Alberta oil to New Brunswick refineries, along with the need to break down interprovincial trade barriers.
Western Canadians have concerns that deserve to be addressed, said Houston, adding that the best way to do that is as one country.
Houston was asked about the difference in tone he was striking on the potential of a referendum in Alberta and last month when he blasted Bloc Quebecois Leader Yves-François Blanchet for calling Canada an "artificial country."
"I don't think there's any similarities, really. The Bloc leader was pretty clear that he's not interested in a united Canada and that he would stop things that would make Canada stronger, like pipelines," he said.
"I am interested in a united Canada. I think Canadians are, and I believe the premier [of Alberta] is, too."
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
