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No one from federal Natural Resources Minister Amarjeet Sohi’s office immediately returned a request for comment, but he has previously said a final decision won’t be made until consultations with affected Indigenous groups are complete.

Notley said she understands that the federal government is making good progress on those consultations.

“It’s not like the federal government is calling me up saying, ’Hey, we are going to do this’ because they are not and I am not here saying that,” said Notley.

“What I am telling you is that public opinion is fully behind it, that the recommendations of the NEB have addressed all of the issues … the position of the industry here and the fact it’s paired with an emissions cap in the oilsands — all of these things address all of the critical objections that have been made in the past.

“We’ve got growing support from Indigenous groups across this province and into B.C. who want in on the pipeline deal. There is just a growing level of support.”

Notley said about seven in 10 Canadians now support the project because they understand it would support jobs and a strong economy.

She said that if her party were to be re-elected on April 16, she would continue to stand up for Alberta’s energy industry.

“I am willing to bet my political future on it,” she said. “We’re going to get this pipeline built and, when it happens, it will be the first pipeline to tidewater in over 60 years. Albertans need to have faith that we will get this done.”