Federal Minister of Natural Resources Jim Carr says the government stands behind its decision to approve the Trans Mountain pipeline project and that it will be alert to any attempts to delay the project.
Carr made the comments at a news conference in Calgary Thursday morning.
The project is strongly opposed by the British Columbia government. This has frayed its relations with the Alberta government where the proposed pipeline will originate.
Alberta responded to B.C. government’s position by blocking the import of B.C. wine into the province on Feb. 6. The Alberta government also cancelled talks about importing electricity.
Carr said many of the issues raised by British Columbia have already been handled by the federal government and that the project “is in the national interest.”
“The Government of British Columbia cannot infringe on federal jurisdiction that impact the national interest,” he said.
WATCH: Andrew Scheer presses government to approves TransMountain pipeline
Carr also announced that the government will be setting up new rules to review major projects like the Trans Mountain pipeline and to reduce the amount of red tape associated with such projects.
Other changes announced include the establishment of a new Canadian energy regulator that will replace National Energy Board and a new agency that reviews environmental, health, social and Indigenous concerns. It will be called the Impact Assessment Agency.
With files from Tony Tighe