QUESTION PERIOD — Privy Council
Support for Alberta
March 11, 2020
Honourable senators, my question is for the Government Representative in the Senate.
As many of you will know, the price of oil crashed earlier this week in the greatest price loss since 1991 as a result of a political dispute between Saudi Arabia and Russia. Oil fell again today, with Brent crude now trading at US$35.95. West Texas Intermediate, the index price in Alberta — US$33.15 — fell further today on the news that Saudi Aramco is increasing capacity.
On behalf of the people of Alberta, what assurance can the government give the people of Alberta that Canada will take concrete actions to support Albertans in this time of economic crisis?
Thank you for your question and for underlining the impact, especially on Alberta but elsewhere in Canada, of the falling oil prices. The government has been working with all of the provinces and, indeed, the territories for some time, and as senators know, has been engaging with, in particular, the premier and others in the province of Alberta to explore the different mechanisms whereby federal assistance can be provided to both the provinces and the citizens of Alberta who are feeling the pinch, if that’s not too modest a word, of what is happening.
I’m advised that these discussions are continuous and under way. It’s a volatile situation, to say the very least. But this government is committed to doing what it can within its capacity to assist the provinces and the people of Alberta.
