After many months of feuding over the controversial Trans Mountain Pipeline project, the Prime Minister has met with the premiers of Alberta and British Columbia to discuss the next steps.
John Horgan, premier of B.C., said prior to the meeting that he was traveling to Ottawa to stand up for the province and to protect our coasts. Rachel Notley, the premier of Alberta, had one objective, which is to get the pipeline built without delay.
Update on the Trans Mountain Expansion project 🇨🇦Mise à jour sur le projet de l’oléoduc Trans Mountain: https://t.co/MKO3lmQwTd
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) April 15, 2018
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau held a press conference after the meeting today, where he stated that the decision is ultimately a federal one, but requires compromise.
Trudeau said that during the meeting today with the two premiers, he said that the federal government will use its authority to resolve the impasse. He added that they are in financial discussions with Kinder Morgan to “remove uncertainty” from the project, and are pursuing legislative options as well.
The TMX pipeline project will be built, because it’s of vital strategic interest to Canada. It’s vital for the hundreds of thousands of people whose jobs depend on our energy sector, and for the health of our economy as a whole.
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) April 15, 2018
“The Trans Mountain Pipeline expansion is a vital strategic interest to Canada. It will be built,” Trudeau said. “It’s vital for the hundreds of thousands of people whose jobs depend on our energy sector, and for the health of our economy as a whole.”
Notley said this morning that failure to move ahead with the project is costing the Canadian economy $40 million a day, along with an “untold” number of jobs across the country.
Failure to move ahead with TMX is costing the Canadian economy $40 million dollars every day and an untold number of jobs for families across this country - including in BC. #KeepCanadaWorking #Ableg #ABpoli #CdnPoli
— Rachel Notley (@RachelNotley) April 15, 2018
Last Sunday, Kinder Morgan announced that it would be suspending all non-essential activities and spending related to the project.
The company pointed to the continued actions from the Province of British Columbia as the reason it won’t commit additional shareholder resources to the project.
British Columbians expect us to stand up for their interests and our coast, and to do everything we can to defend our land and waters, our coastal communities and our local economies.
— John Horgan (@jjhorgan) April 9, 2018
Link to my full statement: https://t.co/iqn1VVeoNB #bcpoli
Kinder Morgan will, however, consult with various shareholders by May 31 in an effort to reach agreements that allow the project to proceed.
ICYMI: Take a photo tour of construction progress at our Westridge Marine Terminal https://t.co/fSaekAinaH #TransMountain #KinderMorgan #pipelines pic.twitter.com/5Y1IcefQa2
— Trans Mountain (@TransMtn) January 6, 2018
