What you suggest could be right. However I would be more inclined to think there may be a bit more to it than just that.
Oil like any business. Priority goals are normally long rather than short term. They know by the latest reports, Many Albertans are now having second thoughts about the election of the NDP,
The govt. on the public front hiking the minimum wage, which will directly affect service workers in cafe's, some food stores, confectionaries, gas station workers, Ect., Ect., Their higher wages will mean higher costs or prices to patrons.
Their 2% added tax on oil companies. Up coming royalty review which is also expected to take a bite out of profits. And the government has already announced an "increase" $624 million in spending on schools and other social programs. At a time when the source of jobs and revenue is taking a severe hit due to depressed oil.
Rachael promised this during the campaign and said it would be paid for with monies from oil companies.
What better time is there for the oil companies to pull back on development than when the prices are low. If spending stops, production is curtailed, Unemployment rises and the bottom falls out of government revenue. Then the choice is to run large deficits or increase taxes on the people.
Then the electorate tosses them out in next election. Popularity has already dropped by 12% in less than 2 months.
It could also have negative consequences for Thomas Mulcair in this falls Federal election. He is also NDP with like minded policies.
It is not only Teck. who's five year delay is timed very well in relation to the next Alberta election
Cenovus sold off their Alberta lands where Royalties would apply. Many others doing the same.
The NDP killed mining in British Columbia with similar moves after elected back in 1972 To this day, It has never recovered to the level it was.
Perhaps there is some strategic moves being made in alberta while prices are low. In hopes of returning to a more free enterprise oriented administration in the future.
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