Justin Trudeau’s government is unlikely to heed Alberta’s plea for new trains to alleviate the country’s oil crisis, federal officials say. Buying new locomotives and rail cars isn’t a short-term fix to the glut that has sent prices plunging because it would take at least a year to get the new trains in place, the officials said, asking not to be named because the stance is not public. While two cautioned that no final decision has been made — with Trudeau visiting the heart of Canada’s oil industry on Thursday — the officials downplayed the chances of a train purchase.
Alberta asked a month ago for the federal government to buy more locomotives to boost shipping capacity as it struggles with near-record low prices and a supply glut. Premier Rachel Notley made the request after an Oct. 22 meeting in which some oil executives pushed for a forced cut to production. Trudeau’s energy minister is reviewing the proposal but Notley said Thursday Alberta hasn’t received a reply. Asked if the province would make the purchase on its own, the premier said she’d do “whatever it takes” to increase rail capacity. Trudeau, who’s speech in downtown Calgary was marked by a pro-pipeline protest that gathered hundreds of people, would