Chrystia Freeland, who was appointed Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs in Canada in the fall of 2019, can give a sigh of relief. The project, which crystallized tensions in the country, between the oil-rich West, which intends to take advantage of its immense natural resources, and the rest of the country, predominantly won over by the climate emergency, has been abandoned.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government had until the end of February to endorse or veto the megaproject Teck Frontier, an open-pit oil sands mine in Alberta, potentially emitting 4 million tonnes of gas greenhouse effect per year, but necessarily rich in jobs and financial benefits.
In an unexpected turnaround on February 23, Vancouver, British Columbia-based Teck Resources decided to postpone the project. The government escapes this time the choice of Cornelius: appear as the "king of oil" – this was the case when he nationalized the Trans Mountain pipeline in 2018 – or the "climate champion", to be in line with ambitions Prime Minister's ecological posters.
In the first line
What reassures Chrystia Freeland, responsible for discussions with the thirteen provinces and territories of the country, and ballasted with the title of Deputy Prime Minister unearthed just for her by Justin Trudeau. It was she who would have found herself on the front line to manage the inevitable conflict arising from the decision. She passes her turn for this time. But this is only part postponed.
The 51-year-old woman has been tasked with reconciling the Canadian nation with herself by a weakened, narrowly re-elected prime minister who is now the head of a minority government. Nothing less.
Because Canada is living a special moment in its history. The country is divided on the environmental issue. Also divided on the question posed by the natives – the historic conflict of territorial sovereignty with the First Nations has also resurfaced around a gas pipeline project rejected by the community of Wet'suwet'en, provoking for more than two weeks an acute economic and political crisis.
Finally divided politically because the provinces and territories of Western Canada are in the hands of Conservative prime ministers who have entered open war against the Ottawa Liberals. Chrystia Freeland has the job of being the big "mender" of these national tears.
