OTTAWA -- The Harper government is optimistic that the Keystone XL pipeline will finally move forward now that the presidential politicking south of the border is finished.
Natural Resources Minister Joe Oliver says he's confident the newly re-elected administration of Barack Obama will see the economic benefits of the pipeline that would carry crude from the Alberta oilsands to U.S. refineries in the Gulf of Mexico.
Obama delayed approval of the project until next year -- after Tuesday's presidential election -- after environmental groups put enormous pressure on his government.
Oliver says the pipeline will create jobs in Canada and the United States.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper was not pleased with Obama's decision to delay approval, but has said he understands the realities of U.S. presidential politics.
