Former PM Brian Mulroney appeals for fearless leadership on resource agenda

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By: Jennifer Ditchburn, The Canadian Press: OTTAWA - Brian Mulroney says the country needs risk-taking leadership to get domestic oil and gas moving overseas, as well as a plan to work co-operatively and bring Canadians onside.
The former Tory prime minister's speech Tuesday, organized by the progressive think-tank Canada 2020, comes as major pipeline projects languish in limbo.
They have been stymied largely by opposition from First Nations, environmentalists and ordinary Canadians concerned with the impact on their communities.
"Prime ministers are not chosen to seek popularity. They are chosen to provide leadership," Mulroney told a rapt crowd that included politicians of all stripes.
"Leadership is the process, not only of foreseeing the need for change, but of making the case for change. Leadership does not consist of imposing unpopular ideas on the public but of making unpopular ideas acceptable to the nation."
Stephen Harper's Conservative government has faced criticism for not doing enough to create consensus and allay environmental concerns at home and in Washington. Environmentalists have been referred to as "radical groups," and the official Opposition as "treacherous" and "clowns."
Mulroney pointedly urged a more collaborative approach to resource development, saying there needs to be agreement of all the players including the First Nations, the provinces and environmental groups.
"Canada is a vibrant federation. We are not a unitary state," Mulroney said. "The Government of Canada cannot act unilaterally to resolve this matter."...Continue reading...