it's relatively clear that there's no business case for expanded pipelines out of alberta. if there was, the private sector would be building them, and it isn't happening. so, why is the government in alberta so insistent on this? the reason is that the government's base thinks it will create jobs, and therefore wealth. albertans don't want the pipeline, exactly; they want more high-paying jobs. so, the government is forced to constantly push this idea, which is a non-starter, because the people want the labour.

it might be helpful for alberta to - quietly if necessary - find more realistic ways to generate these kinds of job opportunities.