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Fortunately, there appears to be little chance of success. Obama has just five months remaining in office, while the pipeline is years from becoming a reality. But it demonstrates just how intransigent many environmental organizations are. The NRDC is far from alone: there is no shortage of Canadian zealots who are willing to hurt Canadian citizens and businesses to achieve their radical goals. The LEAP organization in the NDP is one example. Its manifesto calls for nothing less than the replacement of the Canadian economy with a new, purist society based on Utopian principles. Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson and Montreal Mayor Denis Coderre have also given reason to believe their anti-pipeline views are firmly fixed and not open for debate.

As the Financial Post’s Claudia Cattaneo reported Friday, there is no sign militants are being won over by Alberta’s new strategy. While countries with fewer regulations, ugly human-rights records and no carbon-reduction plans have a free pass to ship their product in increasing quantities around the world, Canada is targeted by radicals exploiting the very irony that Canada is a conscientious, law-abiding country where they can operate freely and without the dangers they might face in less-friendly environments.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has recognized energy as a critical industry, noting that blocking pipelines is a “simplistic solution.” He maintains that “social licence” can be won by convincing Canadians that the risks will be properly assessed and addressed. He has also gone to considerable effort to win friends in Washington, in anticipation of a fair hearing, and fair treatment, of Canadian issues.