“From Day 1, our government has strongly and consistently taken action to support and protect the interests of Albertans and our energy sector. This included launching a public inquiry into the existence of a well-funded foreign campaign aimed at discrediting Alberta’s energy sector – a campaign which is alleged to have robbed the people of Alberta of billions of dollars in lost revenues and thousands of jobs.
“The commissioner’s initial findings have shown that additional time and work is required to complete the final report. This extension will allow the commissioner to fairly and justly complete the inquiry process and follow up on the materials discovered to date. Due diligence cannot, and will not, be sacrificed on an issue this important to the future of our province and country.
“As such, we have extended the commissioner’s deadline to submit his final report from July 2 to Oct. 30. To align with this additional time, we are also re-allocating $1 million from the Canadian Energy Centre’s 2020-21 budget to complete the inquiry.
“How Alberta – and Canada – come through this economic crisis depends in large part on the survival and successful recovery of our energy sector. This sector helps some of our country’s most important industries thrive – including health care, manufacturing and transportation – and the revenue it generates supports the public services Canadians rely on. We look forward to the recommendations of the commissioner. We will do whatever it takes to support one of Canada’s most important industries, as we set a path towards economic recovery and renewed prosperity.”