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“We’re in the middle of a battle and, frankly, we haven’t been winning too many battles. By we, I mean this sector and the resource importance of Western Canada.”

Wall said both the oilpatch and governments have to keep making the case about the economic importance of the energy industry in Canada and its commitment to operating in an environmentally sustainable manner.

He said polls show there is support for energy development and pipelines in Canada, meaning that “social licence” for projects already exists.

Alberta’s NDP government has launched a sweeping climate change plan, including a new broad-based carbon tax and an increase to its existing carbon levy on large emitters, in part to win social licence for pipelines that would ship oilsands crude to coastal waters and open new markets.

Wall repeatedly stressed that his Saskatchewan Party government will not introduce carbon pricing at this point, when low energy prices are dragging down both resource industries and the broader Canadian economy.

But Wall told reporters he will not criticize any other provincial government for its approach.

“Alberta has made their decision. I think the timing for another new national tax, carbon tax or levy of some sort, is just wrong,” he said, comparing the situation to a hypothetical new tax on vehicles being introduced when the auto industry was in turmoil during the economic crisis of 2008-09.

Wall also praised Premier Rachel Notley for “a good job making the case for pipelines,” though the Saskatchewan premier acknowledged he is trying to attract energy investment from Alberta to his own province.