Businesses, unions lend support to Energy East

MONTREAL A coalition of business groups and large unions came out together in defence of TransCanada’s Energy East pipeline project Friday and said it will spur economic development and job creation.

Representatives from several business federations and two construction unions made their announcement days before the National Energy Board holds hearings on the pipeline Monday in Montreal.

Union head Michel Trepanier said workers stand to benefit for five years from construction projects tied to the pipeline.

“We need projects like this,” he told reporters. “We need to be able to attract projects to be able to support our families. One person out of 20 in Quebec works in the construction sector.”

Energy East is a 4,500-kilometre pipeline that would see crude oil transported from Alberta to Eastern Canada. It has become controversial in Quebec with politicians and activists coming out against it due to environmental concerns.

On Thursday, Montreal Mayor Denis Coderre demanded hearings be suspended. He was alarmed by a report that two National Energy Board commissioners had met with Jean Charest to discuss the pipeline while the former Quebec premier was a TransCanada lobbyist.

Brian Jean, leader of Alberta’s Wildrose party, accused Coderre of meddling in the process.

“Like many Canadians, I’m growing tired of Mr. Coderre’s continued attempts to interfere with the world-class independent review process currently assessing the Energy East pipeline project,” Jean said in a statement.

Hearings take place in Montreal next week and in Quebec City the week of Oct. 3.