PM says if he thought project was unsafe for the BC coast it would be rejected

OTTAWA, ON. (NEWS 1130) – The federal government has given Kinder Morgan its blessing to expand the Trans Mountain pipeline from Edmonton to Burnaby.

It has also decided to approve Enbridge‘s Line Three replacement project from Alberta to Wisconsin and reject the Northern Gateway line to Kitimat.

We believe this project meets strict environmental impact standards, and it will need to meet or exceed 157 conditions set by the NEB. — Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) November 29, 2016

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau argues this will create 15,000 middle-class jobs in the trades, especially in struggling Alberta.

“This is a decision based on rigorous debate, on science, and on evidence. We have not been and will not be swayed by political arguments.”

He says Kinder Morgan will have to abide by or exceed over 150 conditions. He knows the Kinder Morgan project is fiercely opposed by climate change activists and politicians.

If I thought this project was unsafe for the BC coast – I would reject it. Period. This decision was based on debate, science & evidence. — Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) November 29, 2016

“We respect their right to hold and voice their beliefs, but to them and to all Canadians, I want to say this: if I thought this project was unsafe for the BC coast, I would reject it,” says Trudeau. “Period.”

He also noted the project would not have been approved without the government of Alberta’s own carbon-pricing efforts and cap on oilsands emissions. He says rail transport is more dangerous and emits more emissions than pipelines.

Trudeau says they’ll keep the promised moratorium on the BC Coast, effectively killing Enbridge’s Northern Gateway project to Kitimat.

In dismissing Northern Gateway, Trudeau says the Great Bear Rainforest is no place for a pipeline #cdnpoli — Cormac Mac Sweeney (@cmaconthehill) November 29, 2016

The Liberals had promised a decision on Kinder Morgan by December 19th but decided to announce all the pipeline decisions at once ahead of a December 9th meeting between Trudeau and the provincial and territorial premiers.

LISTEN: NEWS 1130’s John Ackermann and Amanda Wawryk spoke with Parliament Hill reporter Cormac MacSweeny about the decision