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Stand back. Environment Minister Shannon Phillips has something to say about claims that she’s out to shut down the oilsands.

“I categorically reject this charge that I’m somehow against the oilsands,” says Premier Rachel Notley’s most forceful minister, who heads to Paris in two weeks for the international climate change summit.

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“It is false. I, like the rest of my cabinet and caucus, know that we are — and will be for the foreseeable future — an energy economy.”

“I’ve said this every single time I speak publicly on the matter . . . we are going to build economic diversification on the back of a strong energy industry. I’ve never felt any differently on the matter.”

The heat of the comments, one suspects, arises from a column last week in which I cited past opposition of some NDP caucus members to the oilsands.

In 2002, Phillips co-authored the introduction of a handbook called An Action a Day Keeps Global Capitalism at Bay. It included advice on protesting the oilsands.