Alberta urges approval of Teck oil sands mine, rejects federal aid idea

Officials from the energy-rich Canadian province of Alberta on Friday insisted the federal government approve a massive oil sands project, rejecting the idea that aid from Ottawa would soften the blow if it were to be quashed.

Reuters reported on Thursday that Canada is preparing a financial package that would help dull the pain if it blocks Teck Resources’ plan to build the C$20.6-billion Frontier mine that has raised climate and wildlife concerns.

"We’re not looking for a handout from the federal government; we’re looking for the federal government to get out of the way of our province," Alberta’s Environment Minister Jason Nixon told reporters in Calgary.