Alberta NDP leader Naheed Nenshi remains steadfast that his party remains far from the federal NDP on the issue of pipelines.
After the Pacific Link announcement Thursday, Nenshi applauded the announcement and agreed on its southern route.
But across the country, federal NDP leader Avi Lewis decried the pipeline, calling it an offence to Canadian science, common sense, and not in the national interest.
Nenshi told reporters Alberta New Democrats have cut ties with their federal counterparts.
“Folks can say what they want in Ottawa; here in Alberta, we get stuff built,” said Nenshi.
“Mr. Lewis has a job to do. I’m not a member of that party; many provincial NDP members are not members of that party. We’ve cut that tie with the federal NDP. Fundamentally, he can say what he likes.”
NDP leader Naheed Nenshi speaks says the provincial party remains separate from the federal party. (James Dunn, CityNews)
But the two conflicting beliefs are turning into a political opportunity for the UCP.
Premier Danielle Smith posted on social media, calling Lewis Nenshi’s boss and calling on him to change the party’s name. Nenshi scoffed at the unsolicited idea.
“I’m super happy to take advice from the premier whose party is falling apart around her ears on what another political party should do. So I’ll return with a little bit of advice. Hey, premier: if you’re giving me advice on my party… I’ll give you some on yours: kick out the separatists,” said Nenshi.
This isn’t the first time the provincial and federal NDP organizations have butted heads over pipelines.
In 2015, then Premier Rachel Notley supported the Trans Mountain Expansion, but then federal NDP leader Tom Mulcair did not.
“We’ll see how many issues this causes them over the next number of months, right? This is a party very much in the fight in the polls in alberta when it comes to provincial vote intent, granted a year away from the provincial election,” said Tom Vernon, a senior consultant with Crestview Strategy.
Pacific Link still has a year’s worth of talk and planning before any construction can start. But debate around a pipeline remains hot.
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