Get real Christy Clark

British Columbia Premier Christy Clark opened a can of worms last week that will be hard for her to put back in the box and spend important political capital she can't afford. As it's been reported in many media outlets, Clark has asked that BC receive monies in compensation for oil exports from Alberta. What a completely un-Canadian notion.

PHOTO CREDIT - BCLiberals.com

South Dundas - July 31, 2012 - British Columbia Premier Christy Clark opened a can of worms last week that will be hard for her to put back in the box and spend important political capital she can't afford. As it's been reported in many media outlets, Clark has asked that BC receive monies in compensation for oil exports from Alberta. What a completely un-Canadian notion.

Canada was formed in part to promote trade within the provinces. With exception of alcohol and tobacco, there is no restriction on the movement of goods across provincial boundaries. That is the point of a country, to allow all citizens to participate in the economy with all the rewards and all the warts there is. If the BC Premier has a concern about environmental damage from the Northern Gateway Pipeline, then address the concerns, don't hold your hand out for money trading off environmental concern with dollars.

But lets put the shoe on the other foot. Millions of tonnes of goods arrive in the ports of Vancouver, Richmond and Prince Rupert. The route from the West Coast of British Columbia to China is the shortest shipping route for products being imported. Some of that shipment travels by the national rail network of Canadian National and Canadian Pacific railways, the rest goes by highways. What would Christy Clark say if the province of Alberta put up toll booths and charged for each rail car and each transport that was being carted across the province heading east? Out of concern for the environmental impact of all of those vehicles in the province. I will bet money she would lead the charge against any measure of that kind.

Oil is a commodity, a product. There should be no tolls within Canada, direct or indirect, that restrict the movement of products throughout the country, pure and simple. Clark should remember that premise, as once one starts down the slippery slope, it may come back to haunt them.