Albertans hold fundraiser for B.C. Liberals
The B.C. Liberal Party is getting a boost from what seems a rather unlikely group — Calgary's top political and business leaders.
B.C. Energy Minister Rich Coleman was at a $125-a-person fundraiser Thursday at the Delta Bow Valley Hotel in downtown Calgary, where supporters of B.C.'s governing party and its energy policy voiced concerns about the opposition, which has been leading in recent polls.
B.C.'s provincial election is set for May 14.
Lawyer and event organizer Andy Crooks wants to see the proposed Northern Gateway Pipeline built, and he says the prospect of a British Columbia government led by the New Democratic Party worries Calgary businesses.
"What goes through my mind is deep concern about where B.C. politics is going and the implications that that has for Albertans," Crooks said.
"The NDP positions on some of the pipeline issues, some of the tourism issues, some of the travel issues, are deeply disturbing to a lot of us," he said.
The invitation to the event called Alberta's fortunes "inextricably linked" to B.C.'s and promised attendees a chance to hear Coleman and Sport Minister Bill Bennett, Vancouver media reported.
Calgarian Cynthia Moore said she'd be very nervous about an NDP government in B.C., because it wouldn't support the proposed Northern Gateway Pipeline.
"It made a lot of sense to have this fundraiser actually," she said.
"We have property out there, and we're taxpayers, and it was kind of like, 'whoa …,' you know? We should be paying attention."
Thursday's fundraiser in Calgary comes months after some high-profile fights between Alberta and B.C. leaders over the proposed Northern Gateway Pipeline.
In October, Alberta Premier Alison Redford met with B.C. Premier Christy Clark to discuss the Northern Gateway oil pipeline project, and both women agreed the meeting was unproductive and “frosty.”
Supporters at Thursday's fundraiser said they would be willing to give Clark another chance.
As Crooks said, "we're all working hard for the least of the evils."
