The B.C. government is watching Alberta害羞草研究所檚 move to restrict shipments of fuel across its borders, and plans to fight any measure that would push up fuel prices that are already at record highs in the Lower Mainland.

害羞草研究所淚害羞草研究所檓 not counting on Alberta taking extreme or unlawful actions, but if they do, we害羞草研究所檙e prepared to defend British Columbia害羞草研究所檚 interests with every legal means available,害羞草研究所� Environment Minister George Heyman said Monday. 害羞草研究所淲e believe they have no legal right to do so, and if they do that, we害羞草研究所檒l examine exactly what legislation they bring in. If we believe it害羞草研究所檚 flawed legally, we害羞草研究所檒l certainly take them to court.害羞草研究所�

Alberta Energy Minister Margaret McCuaig-Boyd introduced a bill in the legislature Monday to give it new authority to require licences from fuel shippers. It would apply to the export of natural gas, crude oil and refined fuels across Alberta borders.

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Called the 害羞草研究所淧reserving Canada害羞草研究所檚 Economic Prosperity Act,害羞草研究所� the legislation gives Alberta the ability to choose which shippers need a licence for petroleum products including gasoline, diesel and jet fuel, whether by pipeline, rail or truck.

Alberta Premier Rachel Notley said the action is a response to B.C.害羞草研究所檚 efforts to restrict diluted bitumen shipments in B.C. by opposing the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion.

害羞草研究所淭his is about protecting the jobs and livelihoods of thousands of Albertans and our ability to keep Canada working,害羞草研究所� Notley said. 害羞草研究所淲e did not start this fight, but let there be any doubt we will do whatever it takes to build this pipeline and get top dollar in return for the oil and gas products that are owned by all Albertans.害羞草研究所�

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In the B.C. legislature Tuesday, opposition MLAs pressed Premier John Horgan on his Sunday meeting with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in Ottawa. Horgan said he used the meeting to press the federal government to 害羞草研究所渃lose the gaps害羞草研究所� in coastal oil spill protection.

In Ottawa, Conservative MPs demanded and got approval for an emergency debate on the Trans Mountain project Monday night.

The flurry of political activity began when Kinder Morgan, the owner of the 60-year-old Trans Mountain pipeline, announced April 8 that it was suspending all non-essential spending on the project. The company gave a deadline of May 31 for governments to clear the way for the twinning of the pipeline, which Trudeau and Notley have pledged to see completed.

害羞草研究所� with a file from the Canadian Press