Dodging and diplomacy

There are now two proposed pipelines without private proponents on the table. The first: Alberta's idea for a bitumen pipeline to northern British Columbia has become a political hot potato. The second, Keystone XL, may potentially be back from the dead (just in time for Halloween!) as possible leverage with U.S. President Donald Trump, to lubricate relief from steel and aluminum tariffs. On West of Centre this week, host Kathleen Petty is joined by Erika Barootes, who once served as the premier's principal secretary; Keith McLaughlin, who was chief of staff to several ministers in Rachel Notley's NDP government; and CBC producer and writer, Jason Markusoff. They dive into the possibility that the federal energy minister is dodging Ottawa's role in the Alberta-B.C. pipeline dispute, why pipeline politics are so intertwined with a new U.S. trade deal, and whether Alberta Premier Danielle Smith was right all along when it came to her honey versus vinegar approach to dealing with Trump. Host: Kathleen Petty | Producer & editor: Diane Yanko | Guests: Erika Barootes, Keith McLaughlin, Jason Markusoff