The Senate Committee on Transport and Communications will be holding public hearings Monday in Montreal on its study of transporting crude oil in Eastern Canada.
“We want to consult with Canadians on what their opinions are, to listen to what they have to say,” Terry Mercer, Nova Scotia senator, said. “They’ve been fairly clear so far and I’m sure that people in Quebec in the next two days will be just as clear as other Canadians.”
In August, protesters forced the cancellation of Energy East project hearings in Montreal.
READ MORE: Protesters dragged away, Montreal Energy East hearings cancelled for the day
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The Energy East project consists of a 4,500-kilometre pipeline that would transport crude oil from Alberta to Eastern Canada.
Many politicians and activists in Quebec have taken opposition to the project because of its potential effects on the environment.
The premiers of Alberta, Saskatchewan and New Brunswick as well as the oil industry have been supportive of the Energy East pipeline.
“This will bring Canadian product to the Montreal market,” Mercer said. “As opposed to importing products from elsewhere.”
READ MORE: Montreal Energy East hearings postponed for a second day
The project could create jobs through the construction and maintenance of the pipeline, Mercer said.
“There are jobs involved here,” Mercer said. “There are jobs for Montrealers, there are jobs for Quebecers.”
The committee is expected to release an interim report of their studies at the end of 2016 with the final report coming in 2017.
The public hearings will be held at the Delta Montreal Hotel beginning at 9:30 a.m. and will conclude at 5 p.m.
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