Kenney: I'll do 'whatever it takes' to protect Alberta's economic interests

Kenney says he'll do 'whatever it takes' to defend Alberta's economy

Alberta Premier Jason Kenney says he is committed to protecting the province’s economic interests as questions swirl around investor confidence in Canada.

“The government of Alberta is prepared to do whatever it takes to ensure our economic future, including a future of responsible resource development,” Kenney said in a speech Monday afternoon.

“We will not back down.”

“Alberta is prepared to invest directly and support companies and indigenous groups when necessary,” he added. “And we rule nothing out in that regard.”

Kenney’s comments came the day after Teck Resources Ltd. announced plans to withdraw its application for its controversial Frontier oil sands project near Fort McMurray, Alta.

Kenney said a last-minute delay by Ottawa on whether to approve the $20-billion project is what led the Vancouver-based miner to pull the plug on the proposal, an accusation the federal government denies.

The federal cabinet was set to make a decision on whether the project could move ahead by the end of February.