Ceci says federal update includes no help for crude producers

CALGARY – Alberta’s finance minister says the latest federal economic statement shows Ottawa is living on a different planet from his province.

Joe Ceci says there was nothing to help Alberta producers weather a crushing price discount for their product.

The price gap between Alberta heavy crude and U.S. light oil has been around a whopping $45 recently. Ceci says Alberta crude needs to find a way to get to markets besides the United States. But the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion to the B.C. coast is in limbo.

In the meantime, Alberta Premier Rachel Notley has asked Ottawa to invest in moving oil to market on rail cars.