Keystone cancellation allows reset between Canada and U.S.: LeBlanc

The sudden death of the controversial Keystone XL pipeline project at the hands of the American government last week will not affect how Canada moves forward with similar projects in the future, says Canada’s newly minted Government House Leader.

Dominic LeBlanc, recently chosen to be Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s right hand in the House of Commons, spoke with Tom Clark this weekend and said that other pipeline projects like Energy East will not be fast-tracked in the wake of Keystone XL’s rejection.

“The prime minister has said for years that he thinks there needs to be a robust, independent and thorough environmental review, but also an engagement with First Nations and other communities affected,” LeBlanc said.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "The prime minister has said for years that he thinks there needs to be a robust, independent and thorough environmental review, but also an engagement with First Nations and other communities affected," LeBlanc said.

“(Energy East) crosses a number of provinces. It would ultimately finish in my province, in New Brunswick, should it receive the required approvals. We think that process has to run its course … we don’t want to interfere in the process.”

WATCH: Dion says Canada is disappointed by U.S. decision to reject Keystone pipeline 

LeBlanc says his government respects the decision made by U.S. President Barack Obama, who announced on Friday that he was formally rejecting an TransCanada Pipeline’s application to build the cross-border pipeline, ending seven years of debate over the project.

It may not have been the choice Canada’s oil sector or the federal government was hoping for, LeBlanc acknowledged, but it may actually allow the two nations to move beyond the contentious project and begin focusing on other issues.

“The American decision gives the new (Liberal) government an opportunity, frankly, to reset the relationship with the American administration, particularly on issues like working constructively against the global threat that is climate change.”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "The American decision gives the new (Liberal) government an opportunity, frankly, to reset the relationship with the American administration, particularly on issues like working constructively against the global threat that is climate change."

LeBlanc was also asked how the House of Commons might be involved in decisions surrounding the ongoing bombing campaign against ISIL. Trudeau has promised to pull Canadian planes out of the skies over Syria and Iraq, and increase Canadian-led training of local troops on the ground.

“I don’t think we’ve made a final decision with respect to what the parliamentary debate would be on that,” LeBlanc said.