Premier Clark to respond to Kinder Morgan pipeline decision
Posted November 30, 2016 7:27 am.
Last Updated November 30, 2016 8:09 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VICTORIA (NEWS 1130) – The premier will address the media later this morning following yesterday’s announcement from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau that the federal government had approved the Trans Mountain pipeline project to BC’s coast. Since the federal government gave the $6.8 billion project the go-ahead, there has been silence so far from Premier Christy Clark.
There has been no public statement from Clark yet, though Trudeau says he spoke with the premier by phone and they agreed on the importance of a balanced approach for the development of natural resources along with environmental protection and the creation of jobs.
BC Environment Minister Mary Polak said the province stands by its demand that five strict conditions be met before new pipeline construction be allowed, including a “world-leading” marine spill response regime.
Ottawa’s announcement isn’t going over well with everyone. Hundreds of people packed into the square in front of the Vancouver Art Gallery downtown last night, noisily promising the fight against the Trans Mountain expansion will continue.
Anti pipeline protest moving through downtown core of Vancouver @NEWS1130 pic.twitter.com/vpmB02DiRG
— Bruce Claggett (@BruceClaggett) November 30, 2016
“I’ve always believed the BC government supported the Kinder Morgan expansion, they just didn’t want to say that because they know there are many people lined up on the other side of the issue, it’s very divisive,” explains Director of the Canadian Studies Program at the University of Toronto Nelson Wiseman. “I think there is a quid pro quo between the provincial and federal governments,” he adds. “Didn’t Ottawa approve [the Site C dam] development in northern BC, which was also controversial? They didn’t have to and this is the trade-off.”
Wiseman believes Clark’s seeming delay in putting out a statement is part of “walking a fine line” with voters in BC. “I think you will see a muted response today, Clark might try to play both sides here.”
For supporters in the Energy Sector, this move was a welcomed one. Tim McMillan, head of the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers, says “Canada’s reputation as a place that can move projects forward” got a boost.
While one analyst predicts the Trans Mountain project will help oil producers reap higher prices by exporting to the Asia market.
