QUEBEC CITY – It’s being hailed as historic, but already the $12 billion TransCanada pipeline project is causing division. Environmentalists are vowing to stop the Energy East plan that will carry Western crude oil for export to St. John, New Brunswick, while passing through Montreal and Quebec City. Prime Minister Stephen Harper weighed in on Friday, calling the project good in principle. He said it’s important all Canadians benefit from the country’s oil sands.
“Obviously we think it’s a good idea in principle in terms of selling our energy products, we need to sell our energy products,” the Prime Minister said. “It is a good idea that we find pan-Canadian solutions so that all of this country benefits from our energy products.”
In Quebec, people have become particularly sensitive to the risks involved in transporting crude oil.
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“We want to make sure everything is safe,” said Réjean OBomsawi, an elected official on the Council of Odonak. “Naturally after the tragedy that happened not too far from home in Lac-Megantic, it brings even more worry to make sure that any kind of fuel transportation should be much safer.”
The pipeline project is subject to regulatory approval and provinces will want to have their say. Quebec Premier Pauline Marois said last week she’d have to thoroughly examine any pipeline proposal, while her Environment Minister is staying mum. Marois is surrounded by staunch environmentalists, and is sensitive to arguments brought forth by First Nations communities.
“I got grandchildren and I want to make sure they have things left to eat and something to live on that’s not polluted,” said OBomsawi, echoing the position of most environmentalists.
Proponents, such as Quebec City mayor Régis Labeaume, argue the pipeline would create thousands of new jobs, and would reduce the risk of other deadly accidents happening.
“If you ask me today if I would prefer a pipeline compared to transportation by train or boat, I would choose a pipeline for security, for safety,” said the mayor.
Stephen Harper agreed.
“The reality, for anybody who looks at the business, is that the absolute safest way to transport energy products is through pipelines. That’s the safest way you can go.”
TransCanada recognized it faces a long road in winning necessary approvals. Not only will it have to consult with many First Nations communities, it will also have to win over a population whose fears are very real.
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