Vancouver, BC (WNews)- Premier John Horgan vows to continue fighting the Trans-Mountain pipeline despite being approved by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau yesterday. The approval comes with the pressure to make a decision as the deadline was yesterday.
In a press conference yesterday afternoon, the Premier said that the province will continue to fight in court to stop the $9 Billion dollar project.
While B.C. will continue two court challenges, Horgan said the province will grant any lawfully requested permits to start construction on the twinned pipeline this summer. “Although I regret the federal government’s decision, it is within their authority to make that decision,” he said.
The premier did not rule out throwing the B.C. government’s support behind future First Nations or environmental challenges but said he’d consider it on a case-by-case basis.
“Although I regret the federal government’s decision, it is within their authority to make that decision,” – John Horgan | B.C. Premier
Ottawa’s approval did not come as a surprise, given the federal government purchased the pipeline from Kinder Morgan for $4.5 billion in 2018, saying its expansion was in the national interest to get more oil from Alberta to overseas markets.
Horgan said B.C. is asking the Supreme Court of Canada to review proposed legislation — which the B.C. Court of Appeal ruled unconstitutional — to restrict the flow of oilsands bitumen into B.C. on environmental grounds.
And B.C. will also continue to challenge Alberta legislation that threatens to curtail the flow of oil to B.C. through the existing pipeline if B.C. continues to oppose the expansion.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Canada must twin the pipeline to improve the economy, but that he is also confident of the environmental protections put in place.
“To British Columbians who worry about a spill, for example, know that we take your concerns very seriously,” said Trudeau. “Our top priority is making sure there’s no spill in the first place. But we know we need to be prepared for anything.”
“This second approval of the Trans Mountain pipeline isn’t a victory to celebrate, it’s just another step in a process that has, frankly, taken too long,” – Jason Kenney | Premier of Alberta
B.C. Environment Minister George Heyman said there are gaps in Ottawa’s proposed marine response plan — mainly around spill preparedness and response capacity for local governments and First Nations.
There’s is another support for the project with over 60% of B.C. supporting the pipeline. There’s some support from First Nation Bands in the interior who wants job creation.
Alberta Premier Jason Kenney praised the federal approval and called for immediate construction.
“This second approval of the Trans Mountain pipeline isn’t a victory to celebrate, it’s just another step in a process that has, frankly, taken too long,” said Kenney. “That’s why we’ll measure success not by today’s decision, but by the beginning of actual construction and, more importantly, by the completion of the pipeline.”
After the approval, there’s were two rallies in Downtown Vancouver, one for the Trans Mountain and the other against the twinning. The people who are for the project say that Jobs creations is the biggest thing with the project and getting Canadians crude oil out to the world.
The Pipeline Opposition is worried about the impact on the Environmental and the increase in ship traffic in the Burrard Inlet in Vancouver. The group is also upset that the government has not fully involved the First Nation with the process.
Sound off Below or on Twitter with #WNNViews: What do you think of the Government Approval of the Trans Mountain Pipeline?
