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Bob Layton: Pipeline perplexities

Click to play video: 'Bob Layton Editorial: Trans Mountain pipeline'
Bob Layton Editorial: Trans Mountain pipeline
WATCH ABOVE: In his weekly editorial, Bob Layton weighs in on the federal government buying the Trans Mountain pipeline from Kinder Morgan and how various leaders are reacting to the news – Jun 1, 2018

So, the prime minister seems to be keeping his pipeline promise by being kinder to Kinder.

READ MORE: Trudeau says Trans Mountain deal causes challenges around pipeline to ‘disappear’

The math looks good to some, putting up $5 billion to help free up $15 billion Canada’s not getting.

Alberta Premier Rachel Notley is thrilled, saying expanding the pipeline benefits all Canadians.

READ MORE: Trans Mountain pipeline project purchase ‘major step forward’: Rachel Notley

B.C. Premier John Horgan, disagrees, saying it does not reduce the risk of a bitumen spill.

READ MORE: B.C. premier continues to fight, says ‘it does not matter who owns the pipeline’

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Like everything else the government does, it will cost more than they think, and I question whether this mountain of money will solve the problem.

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I feel no guarantee the pipeline will get ever get built.

There are briefcases of court cases in the way, and Indigenous issues and protesters waiting to plug the pipe.

READ MORE: Protestors rally outside Mark Gerretsen’s constituency office in Kingston

Maybe Ottawa can muster the military and provide pipeline peacekeepers in the national interest and keep people like MP Elizabeth May from another arrest.

READ MORE: Elizabeth May pleads guilty to criminal contempt for role in Kinder Morgan protest

Is Kinder Morgan the bitumen Bombardier that may not get built?

READ MORE: Justin Trudeau hammered over Bombardier bailout in House of Commons

I want it to be built.

I want Alberta’s economy re-built, but I am not convinced the money is enough to push the pipeline.

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I want to be wrong, but I don’t think I am.

Let me know what you think.

Bob Layton is the news manager of the Corus Edmonton group of radio stations.

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