Prime Minister Stephen Harper says he agrees “in principle” with the proposed $12-billion Energy East TransCanada pipeline, but such projects must first pass a rigorous approval process.
While Canadians remain divided on the issue, Harper said Friday that pipelines are important, job-creating projects that will contribute to “the long-term energy security of North America.”
On Thursday, TransCanada said it will move forward with its pipeline project to carry Alberta crude as far east as New Brunswick. The company said it will seek the necessary regulatory approvals in order to begin construction.
From Edmonton to Saint John, Canadian politicians and local residents are weighing in on the project that could send as many as 1.1 million barrels per day to oil refineries and export terminals in eastern Canada.
“There are approval processes to look at environmental effects, the economic issues, to look at all those things and to come to independent evaluations," Harper told a news conference in Quebec City Friday.
"But obviously we think it's a good idea in principle in terms of selling our energy products. We need to sell our energy products.”
The Prime Minister added that the project will definitely create jobs -- not just in Canada, but in the U.S. as well.
"In our judgement, it is an important project not just for our economy and job creation, but for the long-term energy security of North America," he said.
Harper also defended the proposed Keystone XL pipeline, which would carry bitumen from Alberta to Texas, saying it’s another important project.
U.S. President Barack Obama, however, recently questioned whether Keystone would create as many U.S. jobs as suggested.
Like with Keystone, there is strong reaction to the proposed Energy East project across Canada.
"The impact is going to be huge," Alberta’s Finance Minister Doug Horner said. "It's not just benefitting Alberta. This will benefit all Canadians."
If the proposed Energy East pipeline project meets regulatory approvals, it will see 3,000 kilometres of existing natural gas pipeline converted to carry crude oil, as well as the construction of another 1,400 kilometres of new infrastructure.
At the eastern end of the planned pipeline in Saint John, New Brunswick, TransCanada and Irving Oil have agreed to jointly construct, own and operate a deep-water marine terminal. Irving says it will spend $300 million on the new terminal.
While many residents in Saint John are excited to see jobs returning to the area, New Brunswick Green Party Leader David Coon is not so sure that a pipeline is the best way to get them.
"If Al Gore is right, that climate change is a moral issue, then building a pipeline to carry bitumen and expand the tar sands would be immoral," Coon said.
"For most people in the province, all there are are risks, and the rewards go somewhere else."
But Eric Poirier, of the Saint John Board of Trade, said the benefits of the project will be huge.
"Whenever there is investment like this in a community or with a project like this, there is always spin-off," Poirier said. "This is definitely one of those that will help drive the economy, create jobs, and help strengthen our business' here in Saint John and New Brunswick as a whole."
The project is expected to be completed by late 2017 for Quebec, and 2018 for New Brunswick.
Labour advocates support the pipeline, but wonder whether many long-term jobs will actually be created.
"A pipeline is not a panacea," Gil McGowan, president of Alberta’s Federation of Labour, said. "Where the real jobs are, especially over the longer term, is in upgrading and refining, and pipelines are not upgraders."
Greenpeace says that every community along the pipeline route should worry, given the industry’s poor record for spills.
"All this pipeline does, if it’s built, will bring more problems to communities right across the country," spokesperson Mike Hudema said. "It’s no way to build a nation."
TransCanada will have to prove that its plan for the pipeline is safe before the oil flows, with environmental approval slated to begin next year.
First Nations groups also have some major concerns, as much of the pipeline would pass through traditional First Nations territory.
"At this point, the chiefs are certainly not saying 'No,' but they're also not saying they support it ... what they're defending is their aboriginal and treaty right to full, informed consent and full informed consideration," Assembly of First Nations Chiefs in New Brunswick spokesperson Kelly Lamrock said.
TransCanada president and CEO Russ Girling told reporters Thursday the pipeline will move crude oil eastward in the safest, most efficient means possible.
The project, he said, "will create thousands of jobs across our country and bring new revenues and business opportunities to local communities.”
Although the plan is still subject to regulatory approvals, there is already support from various levels of government.
With reports from CTV Edmonton’s Bill Fortier, CTV Atlantic’s Ashley Dunbar and Andy Campbell, and The Canadian Press
