The Ontario Regional Director for TransCanada was in Thunder Bay yesterday, trying to rally support for the Energy East pipeline. 7:04 Thunder Bay councillors will look over a proposal on Monday night to formally oppose the Energy East Pipeline.

Meanwhile, representatives with the company proposing to convert a natural gas pipeline to carry oil across Canada are in Thunder Bay trying to rally support for the project.

TransCanada Ontario regional director Stefan Baranski told CBC News that if Thunder Bay opposes the project, it would be the first municipality to do so.

"We have 34 municipal resolutions — all in northern Ontario — in favour of the project, and we have zero resolutions against the project," he said.

"So I think it's a little premature of this council to be talking about that resolution at this point."

If the project receives all of the approvals needed, it would still take at least five years for oil to flow through the pipeline.

After being asked about a pipeline explosion in Beardmore a few years ago, Baranski said there have been "significant changes in how we can ensure the integrity of the pipeline."

"There's new tools ... like pipeline integrity gauges," he continued.

Sensors put on the inside of the pipe can determine "with incredibly precise detail, any corrosion on the outside of the pipe. If you look at your baby fingernail, it's able to detect corrosion of that size on the outside of the pipe, running inside the pipe."

Last month, a report from the Ontario Energy Board said the risks of the proposed Energy East Pipeline outweigh the benefits.

As part of its review, the energy regulator held consultations in a variety of communities, including Thunder Bay.

Ontario Energy Board spokesperson Michael Millar said that, in northwestern Ontario, the greatest concern was for the environment.