NDP’s Notley brushes off Alberta premier ‘fear-mongering’ over energy

Posted on May 1, 2015 by Taber Times

CALGARY – Alberta NDP Leader Rachel Notley says Premier Jim Prentice is fear-mongering when he attacks her party for its position on energy issues.

The Progressive Conservative leader says Notley is turning her back on the oil industry and job creation.

He says a royalty review such as she has called for would hurt the industry and undermine public confidence in Alberta.

Notley says there is nothing to fear from a public and independent review of the amount of royalties oil and natural gas companies are paying.

She says Albertans aren’t buying what Prentice is saying about the New Democrats.

Alberta revamped royalty rates in 2007, but rolled them back after major criticism from the oil and gas industry.

Producers said royalty increases compounded the effects of falling demand and low prices during the 2008 economic downturn.