The Liberals have pledged to strengthen Canada’s environmental process and have been working on a transition plan for projects now under review to ensure they adhere to a higher standard without having to return to square one.
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Trudeau spoke at a news conference following a meeting with Montreal Mayor Denis Coderre.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Montreal Mayor Denis Coderre are set to meet later this morning against the backdrop of national divisions over Energy East. The new process will consider the emissions impact of the project, including upstream emissions, Trudeau said. “It’s to be responsible and have a balanced approach between economic development and sustainable development”. Their concern over environmental risks triggered a war of words with western politicians, including Wildrose leader Brian Jean, Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall and Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi. A major oil spill in the region could cost $10 billion, Coderre said.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau pledged on Tuesday to require that environmental reviews of oil pipelines and LNG export projects consider greenhouse gas effects, and said it was not his role to be a cheerleader for such projects.
“We need to understand that, you know, there is no plan B to the planet.”
“It’s not because we are asking questions and we are asking people to do their homework that we are not being respectful”, he said.
Energy East’s vice-president for New Brunswick and Quebec, Louis Bergeron, said Tuesday that TransCanada intends to continue working with players affected by the pipeline, including the City of Montreal.
“What we’re going to do … is establish a clear process that will look at greenhouse gas emissions, build on work that’s already been done and give Canadians – the different levels of government, scientists, Aboriginal people – the chance to make their opinions heard and participate in the decision-making process, he said”.
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“The role of the federal government is to put in place a process whereby TransCanada or any other company could demonstrate the project is in the public’s interest”, Trudeau told reporters.
