Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall is taking his push for the Energy East pipeline to a place where it may not be welcome – Montreal.
Wall will be in Montreal next Thursday to discuss the pipeline and other matters with Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard.
“I think in part we have lost ground in terms of perhaps the brand of our energy sector in our country amongst fellow Canadians because we haven’t been proactive enough,” Wall said.
“So that’s what I want to do.”
Wall said he and leaders in the energy industry need to focus more on being upfront about the project’s economic benefits, and work done in the sector to preserve the environment.
READ MORE: Wildrose sabotaging Energy East pipeline: Alberta NDP
Wall said the pipeline is expected to generate $55 billion in economic benefits for Canada, including $4.3 billion in Saskatchewan and $9.3 billion in Quebec.
On social media, Wall has been at odds with mayors from the Montreal area who oppose Energy East.
Opposition leader Trent Wotherspoon, who also supports Energy East, said this method is long overdue.
“We see a premier that often takes to Twitter or inflames debate… grandstands at times; as opposed to engaging those that have concerns in a serious way,” Wotherspoon said.
Wall is also to travel next week to Toronto and Saint John to speak in support of the $15.7-billion project, proposed by TransCanada (TSX:TRP).
READ MORE: TransCanada files first part of Energy East impact study with Quebec
The company says the line would transport more than a million barrels of western Canadian oil a day to refineries in Eastern Canada and a marine terminal in New Brunswick.
With files from David Baxter
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