Jim Carr, the federal minister for natural resources, has a simple message for British Columbia: stop all threats to the Trans Mountain Expansion pipeline.
“The Government of Canada believes that the Trans Mountain Expansion pipeline is in our national interest, which is why we approved the project and why we continue to stand by our decision,” said Carr in a prepared statement. “This crucial resource project will expand export markets for Canadian resources and create thousands of good, middle class jobs and no one should be standing in the way of those jobs and the families that stand to benefit.
Ottawa is calling on Premier Horgan and the B.C. government to end all threats of delay to the Trans Mountain Expansion.
“His government’s actions stand to harm the entire Canadian economy,” said Carr. “At a time of great global trade uncertainty, the importance of Canada’s role in the global energy market is bigger than individual projects and provinces.”
Carr went on to say that the federal government will act in Canada’s national interest to see that this project is built, and that the government’s approach to resource development will grow our economy and protect the environment.
“These are not competing interests, they are shared priorities,” stated Carr. “We have the responsibility to ensure the stability and growth of the Canadian economy and to get our resources to market, and British Columbia shares in this responsibility.”
Under Canadian constitutional law, Ottawa has jurisdiction in the matter, and this has been reaffirmed by multiple courts, including the Supreme Court of Canada.
“We are determined to find a solution,” added Carr. “With all our partners, we continue to consider all available options. As our Prime Minister has said, this pipeline will be built.”
(Natural Resources Canada)
