Stelmach warns Ottawa on oil sands

[styky]

Stelmach warns Ottawa on oil sands
Report suggests ending tax breaks for producers
DEAN BENNETT

Canadian Press

EDMONTON -- Alberta Premier Ed Stelmach has urged caution on a Commons committee report that suggests more federal involvement in the oil sands and a reduction in tax benefits for producers.

"Everyone forgets that over the next 20-year period, about $51-billion, 41 per cent of the income, flows to the federal government," he said yesterday.

"They actually make more on the oil sands than we do.

"There's also tremendous sharing of that wealth with other provinces. It means jobs. It means jobs in Ontario. It means jobs in Quebec. It also means jobs in the Maritimes. So when they start thinking about starting to dicker with the investment climate, they've got to think it through because it's going to affect Canadians."

The Premier was responding to a leaked draft report of the Commons natural resources committee. In it, the panel suggests that Ottawa cancel its generous tax treatment of the Alberta oil sands industry that would put it on the same footing as the rest of the energy sector.

The tax break -- the accelerated capital cost allowance -- was implemented to spur oil sands technology and is now estimated to be worth $1.4-billion annually.

It has been a flashpoint of contention as oil sands operators now reap record revenues.

There is speculation that the tax break may be revoked in the budget set for March 19.

The report says that while Alberta owns and operates the oil sands, Ottawa may need to step in through fisheries and environmental protection legislation to address the industry's impact on the environment.

The report also calls for a firm limit on greenhouse-gas emissions from the oil sands.

Mr. Stelmach said the province is consulting with industry groups but won't be singled out.

"To go back to 1990 levels after all of the growth in the economy?" he said.

"We're not the only ones who are going to take the hit. I was very clear when we met with the federal government. There's the auto industry, there's the transportation industry. We've got to do this together.

"We all share a common goal but you can't take it out on Alberta."

He said a solution is crucial.

"These are vast resources and investments that come from outside Canada, from different countries, so a very predictable, stable investment climate is very necessary for us to sustain the kind of economy and growth that we're used to."

The oil sands sector has been expanding much faster than expected: Production was predicted to hit one million barrels a day by 2020, but surpassed that mark three years ago.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/ ... y/National

[littleharbour]

The Premier was responding to a leaked draft report of the Commons natural resources committee. In it, the panel suggests that Ottawa cancel its generous tax treatment of the Alberta oil sands industry that would put it on the same footing as the rest of the energy sector.

The tax break -- the accelerated capital cost allowance -- was implemented to spur oil sands technology and is now estimated to be worth $1.4-billion annually.

It has been a flashpoint of contention as oil sands operators now reap record revenues.

There is speculation that the tax break may be revoked in the budget set for March 19.

There may be reasonable arguments that oil sands no longer need special tax treatment because of the high cost of oil. Fair enough. Let that issue be decided on its own merits. But to take such a step in the name of reducing "global warming" would be a total scam. I have no idea if Harper is seriously thinking about removing this tax treatment, but I hope it does. Perhaps it would wake up those Albertans who still think that having an Alberta based Prime Minister makes any difference in how Ottawa treats their province.

[B. Max]

Stelmach warns Ottawa on oil sands
Report suggests ending tax breaks for producers
DEAN BENNETT

Canadian Press

EDMONTON -- Alberta Premier Ed Stelmach has urged caution on a Commons committee report that suggests more federal involvement in the oil sands and a reduction in tax benefits for producers.


http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/ ... y/National

Stelmach is a hypocrite. He's going after a 100 companies in Alberta with these phony intensity targets that will lower the standard of living for every Albertan and send many to the poor house.

[C.Morgan]

Stelmach warns Ottawa on oil sands
Report suggests ending tax breaks for producers
DEAN BENNETT

Canadian Press

EDMONTON -- Alberta Premier Ed Stelmach has urged caution on a Commons committee report that suggests more federal involvement in the oil sands and a reduction in tax benefits for producers.


http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/ ... y/National

Stelmach is a hypocrite. He's going after a 100 companies in Alberta with these phony intensity targets that will lower the standard of living for every Albertan and send many to the poor house.

Stelmach has jumped on the "green" wagon of opportunism.

His new emissions standards were unexpected and are unachievable. Companies are expected to reduce their so-called emissions intensity by 12 percent by July 1st of this year.


Those companies will all be fined to varying degrees and the money will go to provincial coffers. They will rake in hundreds of millions.

This is simply a tax-grab concealed as a "green" initiative. Stelmach has been learning from the Liberals.

[B. Max]

Stelmach warns Ottawa on oil sands
Report suggests ending tax breaks for producers
DEAN BENNETT

Canadian Press

EDMONTON -- Alberta Premier Ed Stelmach has urged caution on a Commons committee report that suggests more federal involvement in the oil sands and a reduction in tax benefits for producers.


http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/ ... y/National

Stelmach is a hypocrite. He's going after a 100 companies in Alberta with these phony intensity targets that will lower the standard of living for every Albertan and send many to the poor house.

Stelmach has jumped on the "green" wagon of opportunism.

His new emissions standards were unexpected and are unachievable. Companies are expected to reduce their so-called emissions intensity by 12 percent by July 1st of this year.


Those companies will all be fined to varying degrees and the money will go to provincial coffers. They will rake in hundreds of millions.

This is simply a tax-grab concealed as a "green" initiative. Stelmach has been learning from the Liberals.

Actually this or something like it has been in the works since 02 when they told companies they had to start reporting how much CO2 they released. Now the other shoe has dropped. Complete with fines for not reporting. These intensity targets were actually quite ingenious. Even cutting production would mean one would still have to pay unless they stopped all together, which is what they should do. With the collapse of the economy Stelmach and Harper would be to busy avoiding the linch mobs to worry about so-called green house gases.

[Faramir]

Yeah...well I just wonder how well this pencil neck will perform when the tiger he is poking at gets let out of its cage?

[carfix2000ca]

Oil companies shouldn't be given any more tax breaks than the next business.

Just because it is Alberta doesn't make it any different than anyplace else.

There are many on here who scream about subsidies to farmers, when it is farmers who are struggling to pay bills

[D. Johnson]

So, considering that I have had the signature I have had since I first signed on to FreeDominion.ca, and considering what we have seen of Mr. Stelmach in these first three months....

Would anyone say my prediction is looking more plausable or implausable since I have become a member?

[C.Morgan]

So, considering that I have had the signature I have had since I first signed on to FreeDominion.ca, and considering what we have seen of Mr. Stelmach in these first three months....

Would anyone say my prediction is looking more plausable or implausable since I have become a member?

I would say that the prediction has pretty much come to pass.

It's working on the alternative that Albertan's are willing to embrace that is the tough part.

There has been some interesting and heartening progress on that front lately though.

[Hailey]

Alberta is not going to vote other than PC.

What might happen is that in some ridings the Alliance and the PC might split the vote and there could be a gain in liberal seats.

[C.Morgan]

Alberta is not going to vote other than PC.

What might happen is that in some ridings the Alliance and the PC might split the vote and there could be a gain in liberal seats.

You can hope Hailey.

[Hailey]

I think that my belief is grounded in a solid history. It's hardly like Alberta has unpredictable voting patterns. They are going to vote for the Conservatives - how is it a shock that the Conservatives would win in Alberta? Anyone who finds that shocking must have a heart attack when they see the sky is blue.

[C.Morgan]

I think that my belief is grounded in a solid history. It's hardly like Alberta has unpredictable voting patterns. They are going to vote for the Conservatives - how is it a shock that the Conservatives would win in Alberta? Anyone who finds that shocking must have a heart attack when they see the sky is blue.

I am sure that people said the same in the late 60s regarding the Social Credit Party or at the end of the line with the UFA.

The sky hasnt changed color, but parties in power have.

[Hailey]

I am sure that people said the same in the late 60s regarding the Social Credit Party or at the end of the line with the UFA.

The sky hasnt changed color, but parties in power have.

Well, we'll see!

Right now I would say if an election were to be held tomorrow that Alliance would get no more than five seats.

I mean these people could not even get Morton elected!

[Knave]

Right now I would say if an election were to be held tomorrow that Alliance would get no more than five seats.

Despite my indifference toward the current crop of provincial parties, I must take you to task, Hailey, over your "grounding in solid history."

In 1959, the Progressive Conservatives won one seat, which they then lost in 1963.

They then won 6 seats in the 1967 election.

History doesn't repeat itself, no - but it does often rhyme. But, for those in the Alliance, this doesn't mean they're a shoe-in for government within an election or two. Besides that, it's my personal belief is that the Alberta of 1971 is dead, and won't be coming back....

I mean these people could not even get Morton elected!

But many of those same people got Stelmach elected.

And, on top of that, Morton carried 15 or 16 ridings on the second ballot. That's nothing to sneeze at.