Horgan cautiously optimistic after learning of new Trans Mountain review

VICTORIA (NEWS 1130) – After learning the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion will be re-examined, B.C.’s premier is far from being ready to give that controversial project his approval.

John Horgan says his government needs time to figure out if a second environmental review adequately addresses all of his province’s concerns.

“I have ever confidence that people are coming at this from a place of good faith, but it’s so critically important to British Columbian, I want to make sure we get it right,” he says.

The federal government has ordered the National Energy Board to conduct another environmental review of the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion, after the Federal Court of Appeal overturned the board’s initial approval of the protect last month.

The court found Indigenous communities had not been properly consulted, and that concerns remained about how twinning of the pipeline would impact B.C.’s coast.

“That will take some time, as well. But our view is we’ll be speaking loudly on behalf of British Columbians. Our marine environment is critically important to our economy, it’s important to the very being of British Columbia and we have said all along, the previous government and the current government did not adequately measure the consequences of a diluted bitumen spill.”

The NEB will have 22-weeks to conduct it’s review, but Horgan wonders if that timeline needs to be longer.

“The environment minister and the attorney general are looking at that, and again, it’s just hot off the presses, as they say. I believe that British Columbia, our government needs and will stand up for our coast. That’s what we said during the election campaign, that’s what we’ve said throughout the debate, and will continue to say that regardless of this proposal.”

The premier adds making sure Indigenous communities are properly consulted remains one of the main priorities.

“We’ll see what the federal government’s going to do with respect to Indigenous communities, not just on the coast, but up country as well through the pipeline corridor,” Horgan says. “And when it comes to our marine economy, our marine environment, the coast is fundamental to British Columbians. I’m hopeful, but at this point, I can’t say.”

“It’s about Nation-to-Nation discussions but it’s entirely up to Indigenous communities how they engage on issues around their rights and title, and that area which the court’s focused on some weeks ago has yet to be addressed,” he adds.

Meantime, B.C.’s minister of environment and climate change strategy says he too is awaiting the results of the new review.

“From the beginning, our government has raised concerns about the failure of the federal process to properly consider the risks to B.C. from increased tanker traffic,” George Heymen says in a statement, adding the court and federal government’s announcement “validate those concerns.”

He echoes the importance of consulting with First Nations, saying “meaningful consultation is critical to any future actions.”

“A diluted bitumen spill would present a threat to our coast and the tens of thousands of jobs that rely on the coast. We will continue to defend B.C.’s interests,” he adds.

The Court of Appeal’s ruling halted construction of the multi-billion dollar plan to twin the pipeline, which runs from Alberta through B.C. to the Burnaby side of Burrard Inlet.

Alberta still skeptical following word of new pipeline review: Notley

Premier Rachel Notley told a news conference, she thinks the 22-week timeline for the NEB to conduct its review is reasonable.

But, she fears that opponents will use the opportunity to keep trying to stall the expansion.

“The NEB process is the part that has been our concern, that it would be used as a forum within which opponents would play legal games to drag it out indefinitely,” she said. “And if it starts to slip and the goalposts shift, I can assure you that the voices of Albertans will be loud, individually they would be loud, I have no doubt of that.”

It’s not clear what — if any — leverage Alberta has if the pipeline faces further delays.

Notley is not prepared to say what action she’d be willing to take.