Horgan, Weaver and Notley respond to federal government’s Trans Mountain pipeline purchase

| May 29, 2018 in National News

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The Government of Canada made a major purchase today, shelling out $4.5 billion to buy the Trans Mountain pipeline from Kinder Morgan.

Reaction to the deal is certainly mixed and coming from all parts of the country, including from British Columbia’s two leading men and Rachel Notley, the premier of Alberta.
 


"Today's events do not change the risks of a seven-fold increase in tanker traffic, or the catastrophic effect a diluted bitumen spill would cause to British Columbia's economy and environment,” said Premier John Horgan

"Tens of thousands of B.C. jobs depend on pristine coastal and inland waters. Our environment generates millions in economic activity, from tourism to film and fisheries.”

Horgan continued to say that it doesn’t matter who owns the pipeline, what matters is defending the province’s coast, lands, rivers and streams from the impact of a dilbit spill.

The provincial government will continue to “defend British Columbia’s interests within the rule of law,” he said.
 


Meanwhile, Green Party leader Andrew Weaver was much more critical of the federal government with his comments today.

“This is a betrayal by a government who ran on a hopeful vision for a better future,” he said. “This is a deeply troubling decision on many levels.”

“Canada stands to sacrifice its international reputation, irreplaceable iconic species like the Southern resident Killer Whales, and its commitments to meet its Paris Climate targets and to reconcile with Indigenous people - all while putting enormous risk on Canadian taxpayers.”

Weaver likened the investment in fossil fuel to investing in the horse and buggy industry at the advent of the car.
 


Alberta Premier Rachel Notley was much happier about today’s announcement, which she showed through a series of tweets throughout the morning.

“The deal announced today puts people to work building the pipeline right away,” said Notley, who called the deal a major step forward for all Canadians. “It will help us build up the things that matter to working families, such as our schools and our hospitals.”

Today’s deal is expected to be finalized in late August or early September.

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