Your letters for June 25

Resentment runs deep

Re: All the reasons feds can’t say no to trans mountain; With huge political opposition to Bill C-69, Liberals have no choice but re-approval, Opinion, June 14

It is in Don Braid’s interest to stir the hate pot — it reinforces the walls of Alberta’s echo chamber. Here is a perspective from outside that chamber, in rural Ontario.

Much of the resentment of Alberta has to do with its zero per cent provincial sales tax and one of the lowest income tax rates in the country. Is this due to Alberta being full of hard workers, entrepreneurs and efficient government? Not on your life. You are no different than anyone else in Canada — except that you won the fossil fuel (FF) lottery and have massively gained by it.  Problem is the FF economy is wrecking the planet. That has been obvious for decades.

And yet, knowing the FF economy is doomed (out of simple necessity), Alberta and the industry has done little to diversify its economy and spent most of its time raging against the dying of the light from the oilfield flares, while spending untold millions lobbying to be able to wring out the last few dollars, at the cost of further wrecking the planet.

One tweeter’s reference to spoiled children is apt. It is time Alberta grew up and started helping to shoulder the massive burden of leaving that economy behind — now — not in 10 or 20 years. We do not have the luxury of time.

Michael Blythe, Scotland, Ont.

Bill 12 a dangling worm?

Re: Province seeks to freeze oil well royalty for 10 years, June 21

Bill 12 may appear to be a dangling worm to lure more investment in our oil and gas industry. I would call it useless fishing tackle because the royalty regime of the well permit will not be vested for its life. Hardly a long-term investment guarantee. Recent Alberta history has shown that changing governments will change the royalty rules several times during life of a well.

A long-term royalty fund would be a permanent solution to both parties. Industry pays royalties to the fund during periods of high product prices, and receives refunds during low prices, the government and industry can collectively only tap the fund annually up to a max percentage of its total (i.e., no government withdrawals during years of low prices, to sustain our industry and its jobs).

Kurt J. Hanse, Calgary

Death dealers should face the consequences

Re: Appeal court ponders length of sentences for fentanyl pushers, June 20

The Court of Appeal pondering the length of sentences for fentanyl pushers is very interesting. Lawyers argued that aggravating and mitigating factors need to be considered. They say more case law is needed.

With 746 Albertans dying of opioid overdoses last year, we need to act now. Drug dealers are pushing death on Canadians and locking them up for 10 years doesn’t seem like much of a deterrent. These guys need to be charged with murder and nothing less. The starting point for sentencing should begin at forever.

Phil Hawley, Calgary