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“Any action that restricts the supply of oil to British Columbia would be negative for the economies of both B.C. and Alberta,” Cuerrier said in an email.

The legislation would give Alberta’s energy minister power to direct truckers, pipeline companies and rail operators on how much product can be shipped and when. Violators would face fines of up to $1 million a day for individuals and $10 million a day for corporations.

Alberta Premier Rachel Notley said before introducing the bill that it sends the message that the province will use every tool to defend its resources.

Alberta is locked in a dispute with B.C. over the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion, but Notley said the proposed legislation is not to punish B.C. for delays to the project.

She said the province was, however, very committed to putting pressure on B.C. to focus on what the pipeline means, including the estimated $40 million a day Canada is losing due to market bottlenecks and higher shipping fees.

Cutting off the supply of gasoline to B.C. would have a significant impact to the province, adding at least 45 cents per litre to Lower Mainland gas prices, said GasBuddy senior petroleum analyst Dan McTeague.

“This is going to leave a mark … at least half the gas stations in the Lower Mainland would be interrupted.”

Much of the gasoline consumed in B.C. comes from Alberta, delivered mainly through the existing Trans Mountain pipeline, according to the National Energy Board, with less than 10 per cent of supplies imported on ships from the northwestern U.S.