Article content continued

“We have been clear from the beginning: these contracts, which were rushed into by a desperate government on the eve of an election should never have been signed — by the government or by the railways,” said Myatt.

“There was no reason why private companies couldn’t have stepped up to carry more oil by rail. That is still our position. If these contracts cannot be transferred to the private sector on acceptable terms, our government will do what is necessary to protect Alberta taxpayers.”

Kenney made it known on Feb. 1, the first day that Notley could have legally called the election, which ended up being held on April 16, that if elected he would examine all contracts entered into by the province to ensure they were in the best interests of the province and its citizens, something he called a “value-for-money review.”

On Feb. 19, Notley announced that she had signed contracts with Canadian Pacific and Canadian National to lease 4,400 rail cars to move oilsands crude to North American markets. That same day, Kenney reiterated his position that if elected — and he was 20 points ahead in the polls at that point — he would examine the contracts to ensure they were a good deal for Albertans.

The next day, on Feb. 20, Kenney sent letters to the CEOs of both companies warning them he would cancel the contracts if they are found to be not in the public interest.

“If elected, a United Conservative government will do everything within our power to cancel the NDP’s reckless $4-billion expenditure of borrowed tax dollars to interfere in the market,” said Kenney.