text: It might be a good idea for Alberta to turn the sabre rattling down a notch or two. There isn't a great deal to be gained by exaggerating the 'national importance' of bitumen or threatening to retaliate against BC.
  
  Even at its peak, the entire oil & gas economy contributes only 6% of Canada's Gross Domestic Product (GDP), about 112,000 jobs, and only about 4.2% of corporate tax revenues.  
  
  For BC, the prospect of jobs and tax revenues resulting from the Kinder Morgan Expansion project is entirely underwhelming. Two years of construction jobs (most going to non-residents according to KM) and maybe 50 permanent jobs is not a great incentive. Tax revenues are negligible. 
  
  Bottom line: a major spill or ongoing minor spills could cause enormous losses. It's just not worth the risk - to BC, or to Canada.
  
  So go ahead - threaten us with rail/highway blockades, withdraw our gasoline supply (we already get it from Washington), stop vacationing here. We'll survive quite nicely without you.