A PRINCIPLED, BALANCED STANCE ON PIPELINES In a series of speeches in Washington, Calgary, Vancouver and Regina, Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau has carved out a solid policy position on the crucial interconnection between energy, the economy and the environment. He applauds resource developments in Saskatchewan, Alberta and Newfoundland & Labrador. He points out that without the economic growth generated in these provinces — largely by energy projects — Canadas overall national growth rate would be next to nil. He categorically rejects the wrong-headed depiction of western resources as some sort of disease. Justin also debunks the notion that Canadians have to choose between a strong economy or a healthy environment. The vast majority of us want both. Canada needs both. And its the responsibility of governments to deliver both -- that is, wealth generation with a shrinking environmental footprint. The linkage between economic development and environmental credibility is graphically illustrated by the stalled Keystone XL project, a proposed pipeline to run from the Canadian prairies to the Texas Gulf Coast. It got approval in Canada four years ago after a legitimate regulatory review, but the Obama administration has so far declined to approve it on the US side — due to doubts about Canadian environmental standards. So how has the Harper government responded? Instead of working to convince the Americans of Canadas environmental credentials, Mr. Harper has steadily weakened them. His message is basically dont worry about it — i.e., the environment doesnt matter. Its a strategy of ridicule and it wont work. In this day and age, environmental credibility is crucial to earning the public consensus necessary for big development projects to proceed. Justin supports the Keystone XL. He made that point directly to prominent Democrats in Washington. This project would create jobs and growth on both sides of the border. Its in line with the federal governments fundamental role to open markets for Canadian resources. In a responsible and sustainable way, it would help get those resources to those markets. This project should have been approved long ago. And it would have been, if the US administration felt they could trust Mr. Harper on the environment. The fact that it remains stalled is a major diplomatic, economic and environmental failure on the part of the Harper government. Not every pipeline project is the same. Just as he supports the Keystone XL on its merits, Justin does not support the Northern Gateway proposal. Its a much different project with much higher risks. The approval process was skewed and disrespectful. The government became a promoter, not an impartial analyst or regulator. They compromised the outcome. The Conservatives have no definitive answers for the economic and environmental risks, either on land or offshore. Most BC municipalities are opposed. The provincial government says its conditions have not been met. Aboriginal people are going to court. Public opposition is clearly large. Its another Conservative botch-up. Mr. Harpers demeanour shows his vulnerability. When the government gave its approval to the Northern Gateway yesterday — in a bare News Release — the Prime Minister and his entire Cabinet went into hiding. None would make a comment or even answer a single question. The issue is basic government competence, or the lack thereof.
Posted on: Wed, 18 Jun 2014 17:38:10 +0000
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