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Pipeline problems - Canada's never-ending story

Pipeline problems continue. It seems like the Trans Mountain Pipeline expansion project just can’t catch a break. The latest setback comes from the Federal Court of Appeal, who granted six Indigenous legal challenges for the project.

Pipeline problems continue.

It seems like the Trans Mountain Pipeline expansion project just can’t catch a break.

The latest setback comes from the Federal Court of Appeal, who granted six Indigenous legal challenges for the project.

The federal government says it still expects construction on the pipeline will begin this month, but you can understand why people are sceptical. And even if construction does start, what would happen if one of these appeals is successful?

And yes, these appeals once again deal with the long-standing issue of consulting with Indigenous people. Maybe the consultation process earlier this year wasn’t good enough. 

Regardless, this entire process has been frustrating, and it has created instability and uncertainty – words that no government or a business should ever want to hear.

You have to wonder if there’s ever been a pipeline project that has been more difficult for a government. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau drew the ire of many in the environmental community when he approved the expansion in the first place.

Then, in an effort to save the project and show the world that yes, you should invest in Canada, the Liberals purchased the pipeline from Kinder Morgan.

And what has happened since then?

The project has been delayed because of concerns about a lack of consultation. So they went through more consultations, which was good news for those who we sent across the country to listen to concerns. And then the government approved Trans Mountain once again, which might have been the biggest slam dunk decision for the Liberals in this term, because if they didn’t, they would have wasted billions of our taxpayer dollars on a project that should have been completed by now. 

It seems like the Liberals can’t do anything right when it comes to pipelines, and in their efforts to try to please everyone with their one potato, two potato approach, they have pleased no one. Their additional regulations killed the Energy East Pipeline. They said no to the Northern Gateway Pipeline. They approved Enbridge’s Line 3 project and Trans Mountain.

Their decisions for Northern Gateway and Energy East further angered those in the energy sector. Their support for Kinder Morgan infuriated environmental groups.

And was anyone actually happy when they bought the damn pipeline?

A majority of Canadians want to see pipelines built. We know they’re the safest way to get oil to market.

We know that there’s a significant economic benefit for all when we’re able to transport oil by pipelines, and get it to market. We know that pipelines help with the oil price differential.

We’re seeing the negative consequences for years when it comes to this country’s inability to get pipelines built, not just with the current Liberal government, but with the predecessors, the Conservatives.

You need to balance the needs of the environment with the needs of the economy. You can’t just build a pipeline anywhere you want, and ignore the environmental consequences.

But if a pipeline project meets reasonable expectations, then approve it. And build it. For the benefit of Canadians.

In the meantime, the U.S. oil sector is doing much better. Say what you will about U.S. President Donald Trump (and he has been criticized in this editorial space before), but nobody can deny the support he’s show for the energy sector down south, and the positive impact it has had on that nation’s economy.

We’re getting nothing done, and our projects are getting bogged down, not because they don’t meet the needs of the country, or carry an economic benefit, but because the systems aren’t in place to allow pipelines to happen.