Stelmach waits on bitumen: Alberta premier hangs fire after PM’s surprise promise

Jeff Cummings, September 30, 2008, Metro Edmonton -- Premier Ed Stelmach says he will wait until after the federal election regarding a surprise promise from Conservative Leader Stephen Harper to restrict exports of raw bitumen.

During an election stop in Calgary on Friday, Harper said his government would ban the export of Alberta’s dark and heavy oil to countries that have weak environmental laws.

“We’re in a campaign and their in the midst of a hotly contested election,” said Stelmach to reporters yesterday.

“I will wait for the results and then sit down with whoever is elected once the election is over.”

The federal government currently controls exports and relations with other countries, but Deputy Premier Ron Stevens told reporters last week that the provincial government has the right to ship bitumen whenever it pleases since it is a natural resource owned by the province.

Stelmach and Stevens said they were given no notice by the Harper campaign about the bitumen promise, but Alberta’s premier said he isn’t worried.

“It’s an election,” Stelmach added. “I am not going to lose any sleep over it until the campaign concludes on Oct. 14.”

Large amounts of raw oil produced from Alberta’s oilsands are already being shipped to the United States.