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Photo by Jonathan Hayward/CP

There’s been little movement on either issue since, but Alberta has offered an olive branch. Premier Jason Kenney had previously stood in total, adamant opposition to C-69. Now, in collaboration with all the other party leaders in Alberta, including former premier Rachel Notley, Kenney has sent a letter to the Senate, saying that Alberta could live with the bill as amended. “While we remain concerned about the overall spirit of Bill C-69,” the letter says, “we believe that with the inclusion of all these amendments, that the bill would be acceptable to the interests of Albertans.” Sen. Peter Harder, who represents the government in the Senate, has said he supports the Senate amending the bill, and returning it to the House for consideration.

It’s all incremental. Baby steps. Democracy is not a quick process. But this offers at least the chance of a meaningful breakthrough. Senators in Ottawa did their job by blocking C-48’s rapid passage and thoroughly amending C-69; Premier Kenney has now acted reasonably and responsibly by forming a united front with his colleagues to signal to Ottawa that his restive province can at least live with the amended bill.

Democracy is not a quick process. But this offers at least the chance of a meaningful breakthrough

And on Friday, Alberta received a bit more good news: a B.C. court ruled in a 5-0 decision that the provincial government’s attempt to use environmental laws to effectively block the expansion of the Trans Mountain pipeline was invalid, as it plainly intruded on federal jurisdiction. This was the expected result, but it was still a welcome one.

Even when taken all together, the above doesn’t constitute a win for Alberta. That will only come when a pipeline for export is completed and operational. But these are positive signs. Here’s hoping for more.