Sohi expects NEB certificate for project shortly
Extensive dialogue with First Nations played key role in approval, minister says
The federal minister of natural resources expressed confidence the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion project — approved by federal cabinet Tuesday — will proceed this construction season, but stopped short of an absolute promise the expansion would be completed.
“I am very confident in the work we have done so far … (and) that we are in a very good position so that this project will proceed,” Amarjeet Sohi said at the Trans Mountain pipeline Edmonton terminal in Strathcona County on Wednesday.
In August, the Federal Court of Appeal overturned the first 2016 cabinet approval of the expansion project, which would twin sections of the existing pipeline between Edmonton and Burnaby, B.C., to triple its capacity to 890,000 barrels per day. The court cited concerns that Indigenous peoples were not “adequately” or “meaningfully” consulted on the project, as well as environmental concerns in coastal B.C.
The court decision came the same day the federal government’s purchase of the pipeline from Kinder Morgan was approved and prompted the federal government to launch Phase III consultations with more than 100 Indigenous communities in B.C. and Alberta.
Sohi characterized the latest round of consultations as “a sincere, two-way dialogue,” but many First Nations and Indigenous organizations remain staunchly opposed to the project.
“We feel that the way we started the consultation, by having early involvement of Indigenous communities to help design the consultation process as well as doubling the capacity of our teams to engage with Indigenous communities, gives us a broader mandate to actually have that two-way dialogue and offer recommendations,” said Sohi.
“We are very comfortable with the work that we have done, and also engaging Justice (Frank) Iacobucci for the advice and oversight necessary to ensure we are following all the necessary steps.”
The National Energy Board deemed the project “in the public interest” and recommended it be approved subject to more than 150 conditions and recommendations in February.
“I want to assure everyone that approval of the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion, construction and completion ... does not undermine our ability to meet our Paris (Agreement on Climate Change) commitments,” said Sohi.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has promised that all profits from the pipeline’s eventual sale and activities will be invested into transitioning Canada’s economy towards cleaner energy sources, but many experts remain unconvinced the expansion is coherent with the current Liberal government’s commitments to climate action.
Kathryn Harrison, a political scientist at the University of British Columbia, in an interview with Postmedia on Tuesday likened building the pipeline to fund a clean energy transition to gorging on cake in preparation for a diet.
Sohi expects the NEB to issue a certificate for the project within the next few days and for Trans Mountain to begin mobilizing its workforce to begin work as soon as all the necessary permits are obtained. On Tuesday, Premier Jason Kenney was cautious in his optimism the pipeline will be built.
“The approval of this project and moving forward on this project is a demonstration of confidence by our federal government in our energy sector,” said Sohi.
“But as you can appreciate, before you put shovels in the ground, there’s a lot of work that needs to be done.”