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Notley said Tuesday she knew B.C. was about to announce some kind of review, but had no idea this ban would be part of it. She attacked the action as illegal, unconstitutional and contrary to trade pacts.

Notley went on to say: “I’m not pulling any punches. This is bad for British Columbia, this is bad for Alberta, this is bad for Canada.” She called the move “political game-playing and political theatre.”

She’s right on every count — but those are just words, not punches. What will Notley actually do to influence a government that clearly has no respect for other authorities, or even federal powers under the constitution?

Well, within 24 hours we got a hint. Notley called an emergency cabinet meeting at noon Wednesday to discuss a range of retaliatory actions. Specifically, she mentioned electricity purchases from B.C.

This is the first time the NDP has publicly discussed retaliation, although Notley did say officials have been working on possible measures for some time.

The legal and regulatory processes Notley believes in so deeply are failing. Finally, she recognizes it. Horgan’s main interest appears to be holding the co-operation of the B.C. Greens, whose three legislature votes keep him in office.

Photo by Chad Hipolito / The Canadian Press

He has vowed to use everything in the provincial tool box to block the pipeline. If he runs out of tools, he just invents a new one.

There’s no shred of party friendship here. Horgan clearly doesn’t care if his actions help defeat the only other NDP government in Canada.

UCP Leader Jason Kenney pounced at a news conference Tuesday.

He called the B.C. action “another attack on Alberta’s energy industry by New Democrats — by Rachel Notley’s friends and fellow travellers, a party in B.C. for which she used to work.

“It’s extremely embarrassing for our premier that she has been unable to persuade her fellow New Democrats to stop this attack on our province’s economy and on free trade within Canada.

“It’s also unfortunate that the prime minister has been unable to stop this attack on the economic union within Canada.”