NDP leader Tom Mulcair speaks to the media on the steps of old city hall in Calgary, Thursday, July 12, 2012. Mulcair is visiting the city and taking in the Stampede which is celebrating its 100th anniversary featuring rodeo action, chuckwagon races, a midway, agricultural exhibits and live stock competitions. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
July 12, 2012 - 3:52 PM
CALGARY - Federal NDP boss Tom Mulcair is sticking to his guns on a pipeline project proposed by a Calgary-based company during his first visit to the Stampede as leader.
Mulcair — outfitted in a white cowboy hat, blue jeans and cowboy boots — rode into what could be considered enemy territory in the heart of Canada's oil country.
He said a scathing report in the U.S. about how badly Enbridge handled an oil spill in Michigan two years ago should be the final nail in the coffin for the Northern Gateway pipeline.
The Opposition leader said the blame assigned to Enbridge in the report would give anyone looking at the project pause.
He isn't planning on meeting with any officials from the oil and gas sector, but did pay a visit to Calgary Mayor Naheed (nah-HEHD') Nenshi.
Mulcair said his comments about the energy sector may not be popular in Alberta, but he believes Canadians would prefer a party that is actually willing to talk about issues.
The Opposition leader has repeatedly said economic strength in Alberta, fuelled mainly by the oilsands, is jacking up the Canadian dollar and hurting manufacturers elsewhere in the country.
Alberta Premier Alison Redford said earlier this week she wasn't holding out hope that Mulcair would change his tune.
News from © The Canadian Press, 2012