Kenney denounces 'Putin's aggression' as he renews calls to build Keystone XL
Alberta's premier criticized the presidents of both Russia and the United States Wednesday ahead of a meeting where he announced that a million Alberta tax dollars will be sent to Ukraine.
Jason Kenney met with former Alberta premier Ed Stelmach and the Consul General of Ukraine in Edmonton, Oleksandr Danyleiko, at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday.
The premier said the contribution to the Ukrainian Canadian Congress will be used for "first aid and medical support" for citizens in that country. There are roughly 400,000 Albertans with some Ukrainian ancestry.
"We are deeply concerned about Vladimir Putin's aggression compromising the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine," Kenney said at a morning press conference.
"Alberta has a huge and dynamic Ukrainian community and it's important to all of us that we stand in solidarity with them."
Hopes for a diplomatic way out of a potentially devastating war in Europe appeared all but sunk as the U.S. and key European allies accused Moscow of crossing a red line Tuesday.
Russian troops rolled over Ukraine's border and into separatist regions, with some calling it an invasion.
On Thursday afternoon, as fighting in Ukraine continued, Kenney said on Twitter that "Alberta oil is better than dictator oil."
"We are working to make sure Alberta gets the credit it deserves."
'KEYSTONE XL PIPELINE WOULD SURE BE BENEFICIAL'
Kenney also called on U.S. President Joe Biden to reinstate the approval of the Keystone XL pipeline project, so Americans can buy more oil from Alberta instead of Russia.
"President Biden is now importing over 800,000 barrels a day of conflict oil, filling the treasuries of Vladimir Putin's Russia, that is fuelling this military aggression against Ukraine. This is unacceptable," Kenney argued.
The premier demanded that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau lobby Biden to allow the pipeline to be built.
American members of congress and a Fox TV host echoed Kenney's call to build the pipeline.
"You know what, having a Keystone XL pipeline would sure be beneficial right now, considering the global situation. We need this administration to stop making stupid decisions," tweeted Dan Crenshaw, a Republican congressman from Texas.
On Tuesday, Trudeau unveiled Canada’s “first round” of economic sanctions against Russia for its recognition of independence of two non-government controlled Eastern Ukraine regions and the ordering of troops there.
Kenney said he wants stiffer sanctions against Russia. Journalists were not permitted to ask questions during his evening announcement.
With files from CTV News' Sarah Turnbull and The Associated Press
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
LIVE NOW | 'Nova Scotians' sense of safety was rocked': RCMP failures dominate inquiry's final report into 2020 mass shooting
A long list of failures by Nova Scotia RCMP leadership and policing systems dominate the final report into Nova Scotia's April 2020 mass shooting.

Gwyneth Paltrow's ski collision trial spawns memes, intrigue
When two skiers collided on a beginner run at an upscale Utah ski resort in 2016, no one could foresee that seven years later, the crash would become the subject of a closely watched celebrity trial.
House abandoned by couple who 'disappeared' 8 years ago major eyesore for upscale Toronto street
A Toronto man, whose neighbours vanished eight years ago and left their home completely abandoned, said he's fed up living next door to a property that is in complete disarray.
'No question there need to be changes': PM responds to Nova Scotia mass shooting commission report
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau offered a brief initial response to the final report from the Mass Casualty Commission (MCC) into Canada's worst mass shooting, which claimed the lives of 22 people in Nova Scotia in 2020. Vowing changes will come, here's what Trudeau said in Truro, N.S.
RCMP needs to be overhauled, start admitting mistakes: N.S. shooting inquiry report
The commission examining Canada’s worst mass shooting says the RCMP needs to be reviewed, restructured, and start admitting to its mistakes.
TREND LINE | Poilievre surpasses Trudeau when it comes to preferred prime minister: Nanos
The federal Liberals are trending downward on three key measures while Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has surpassed Prime Minister Justin Trudeau when it comes to the question of who Canadians would prefer now as their prime minister, according to Nanos Research.
Coroner rules against officer's 'suicide by cop' theory for Sammy Yatim inquest
A coroner has denied a request from a former Toronto police officer to explore a theory that a distraught teen he shot was committing "suicide by cop."
opinion | This is how much debt is normal for your age
Have you ever stopped to wonder how much debt is typical for your age?
WATCH | Drone video shows swimmers 'harassing' pod of dolphins in Hawaii; investigation opened
U.S. authorities are investigating a group of people swimming toward a pod of spinner dolphins off Hawaii's Big Island. The department alleges that the swimmers were 'harassing the pod' as the dolphins were swimming away.