On Sunday, Kinder Morgan announced that they would be pausing all “non-essential activities and related spending” on the Trans-Mountain pipeline expansion.
This is a direct result of continued protest from the British Columbia government against the $7.4-billion project which poses a potentially catastrophic environmental threat to the province’s coastline.
And with both the Premiers of British Columbia and Alberta, and Prime Minister Trudeau digging in their heels on opposing sides of the Kinder Morgan pipeline debate, the whole country is getting involved in the argument.
Horgan’s response
“British Columbians expect their government to stand up for their interests and our coast, and to do everything we can to protect our land and waters, our coastal communities and our local economies,” stated BC Premier John Horgan.
“The federal process failed to consider B.C.’s interests and the risk to our province. We joined the federal challenge, started by others, to make that point.”
“We believe we need to grow the economy, while protecting the environment. We want to work to address these challenges together. But we will always stand up for British Columbians, our environment and the thousands of jobs that depend on our coast.”
Notley’s response
Meanwhile, Alberta Premier Rachel Notley made her feelings clear through a series of Twitter updates, aggressively stating that “they cannot mess with Alberta.”:
If we have to, Alberta is prepared to do whatever it takes to get this pipeline built – including taking a public position in the pipeline.
Put another way, Alberta is prepared to be an investor in the pipeline.
This pipeline will be built.#ableg #abpoli #KeepCanadaWorking— Rachel Notley (@RachelNotley) April 8, 2018
When I spoke with Premier Horgan, I let him know that we will be moving forward very aggressively and that we will be bringing forward the legislation.
I made sure that he knew our resolve, and that we believe time is of the essence.#KeepCanadaWorking #AbLeg #abpoli #cdnpoli— Rachel Notley (@RachelNotley) April 9, 2018
A federal approval of a project must be worth more than the paper it’s written on.#ableg #abpoli #KeepCanadaWorking pic.twitter.com/wBq2BDAA41
— Rachel Notley (@RachelNotley) April 9, 2018
The rest of Canada
According to a recent survey by Angus Reid, overall, the pipeline battle has the same number of advocates as it has critics in Canada. Interestingly, most Albertans support the project.
Kinder Morgan will attempt to resolve issues with their stakeholders and the province of BC and their by May 31st, after which they will decide what further action to take.
Trudeau on the pipeline
Here’s what Justin Trudeau had to say about the pipeline expansion project just a couple of days before Kinder Morgan announced its suspension of all related spending on it:
