What started as a pipeline protest in Calgary quickly became a show of support for the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion and the oil industry Monday.

A group of about 24 anti-pipeline activists played Indigenous drums and raised signs reading, “Stop the Kinder Morgan buyout,” outside Liberal MP Kent Hehr’s headquarters on 6th Avenue S.W. But the group was drowned out by a crowd about three times as large, bearing colourful “Just Build It” signs, voicing their endorsement.

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“We stand on the side of reality, of truth and common sense. There is still a need for the Kinder Morgan pipeline,” said Trevor Marr, who wore a white “I love Canadian oil and gas” T-shirt.

Marr said he was there to call the federal government to action.

“I don’t want this just to sit on the shelf now that he’s bought it. Did he buy Kinder Morgan to shut it down or to speed it up?” Marr said of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

The rally had originally been organized as one of many protests across Canada, to pressure the federal government to not move forward with the purchase of Kinder Morgan Canada’s assets, announced last week . They delivered a petition to Hehr’s office with 37,000 signatures against acquiring the pipeline.

Lise Rajewicz was at the protest to voice her concerns about the government’s $4.5-billion purchase because of the effect it will have on the environment and Indigenous communities.

“This pipeline locks us into carbon and fossil fuel production for decades, and this is not helping us funnel money into renewables or retraining folks to work in other industries,” Rajewicz said.

Premier Rachel Notley said in Red Deer on Monday she hopes protesters can understand that pipelines are safer than rail for transporting oil.

“This is a not about increasing emissions, this is solely about increasing returns for the citizens of this country who are the owners of this resource,” Notley told reporters following a speech to the Red Deer Chamber of Commerce.

Meanwhile, in Calgary, supporters at the protest yelled, “Build that pipe,” while encouraging people driving by to honk in agreement.

George Rafael said he’s worked in oil and gas around the world, which is why he wants the pipeline built as quickly as possible.

“We need to be able to deliver oil to tide water, and points beyond it, to access the marketplace. This is a time-sensitive issue,” he said.

— With files from James Wood

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