Number 4 in NEWS 1130’s Top 10 of 2016

OTTAWA, ON. (NEWS 1130) – It was a project that drew no shortage of controversy after it was first announced in 2013.

Kinder Morgan’s intention to twin the existing Trans Mountain Pipeline came with steady opposition, but on the afternoon of November 29th, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stepped to the podium in Ottawa to announce its approval. “The Government of Canada has approved the Kinder Morgan Trans Mountain expansion project. This pipeline will twin an existing line that has been in operation since 1953 and extends from Edmonton, Alberta to Burnaby, British Columbia,” said Trudeau, who had campaigned on promises of subjecting the project to new reviews under the National Energy Board.

At the same news conference, Trudeau rejected the Enbridge Northern Gateway Pipeline which would have twinned a pipeline from Bruderheim, Alberta to Kitimat.

He also approved the company’s Line 3 Replacement Project, which will refurbish an existing pipeline between Alberta and Manitoba.

Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson is one of many local politicians opposed to the Trans Mountain expansion. “This project was driven by the Harper government in a flawed and biased National Energy Board Review that is being contested in court to this day. We see it as a direct threat to Vancouver’s economy [and] to our clean environment,” says Robertson, who is also worried about the increased tanker traffic along the BC coast.

Some of Trudeau’s fellow Liberal MPs were shocked by the $6.8 billion project’s approval, which is subject to 157 binding conditions. “Absolutely it is something that people in my riding feel strongly about, and it will cause me problems. There’s no such thing as a safe politician,” said Hedy Fry, the 75-year-old physician who has held the Vancouver Centre riding since 1993.

Premier Christy Clark also warns the federal government that the project as is doesn’t have local support.

She says BC’s five conditions for approval have still not been met and would expect conditions from the federal government. “We will go through it with a fine-tooth comb and make sure that we are getting absolutely getting the best deal for British Columbians and protecting our coast and our land base from any risk. That’s my job, to fight for the interests of British Columbia,” explains Clark.

Charlene Aleck with the Tsleil-Waututh First Nation is among thousands concerned about potential pipeline leaks or spills from oil tankers. “It’s not if it still happens, it’s when it happens. Thousands of people could be sick. It’s not in our backyard, it’s right in our kitchen.”

Backers like Tim McMillan with the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers point to 15,000 potential construction jobs and say the move will improve Canada’s reputation on the national stage.

“Canada’s reputation as a place that can move projects forward, took a step forward. If India and China are looking a more reliable source for oil that has high environmental standards, Canada is the obvious choice,” says McMillan.

Despite its approval, the federal conservatives remain skeptical that the Trans Mountain expansion will actually get built. “What we saw is one project [Northern Gateway] be rejected, which is 4,000 jobs and another project sadly be approved that I think all of us know, has very little chance of being built,” said Conservative Party Interim Leader Rona Ambrose.