Approving Trans Mountain a start

Next steps would be to kill bills C-69 and C-48, writes Ken Kobly.

Approving the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion was a good decision for Canada, but only one piece of a critically important puzzle for balanced, responsible and sustainable economic development in our nation. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s current approach on bills C-69 and C-48, however, will irreparably scatter the rest of the puzzle pieces beyond reach.

That’s why business leaders like myself from regions across Canada are expressing our complete support of the first ministers — who represent 82 per cent of Canadians and 83 per cent of the national GDP — who have asked Trudeau to please step back from his approach on bills C-69 and C-48.

We, like the seven first ministers and many First Nation leaders, are asking him to accept the full set of amendments to Bill C-69 proposed by the Senate of Canada, and the recommendation of the Senate committee’s report to pull back Bill C-48 because of its discriminatory nature against one industry and one region and many communities who stand to benefit from new major projects.

Proceeding will hurt our opportunities for shared prosperity in the long term, with implications going far beyond any one industry or community. Rule of law and reason in Canada is being called into question and, in turn, the stability and binding integrity of Confederation’s founding principles.

We would also remind Prime Minister Trudeau that the chamber of commerce network recommended what the first ministers are now asking before five of the seven signatory premiers were elected to office. Smart regulation that works for all Canadians is the first pillar of our network’s Vote Prosperity campaign to inform all federal election candidates about the priorities for a more competitive Canada.

TMX’s approval establishes a minimum vestige of confidence that national interest is a relevant consideration for federal decisions. It will help ease constraints on transporting western oil which has forced Alberta to curtail production and contributed to thousands of layoffs. It will also help raise living standards of First Nations communities along the pipeline route.

But what about additional projects that would support Canadians’ shared prosperity? Proceeding with bills C-69 and C-48 effectively scuttles similar opportunities.

One hundred billion dollars in lost planned investment since 2017 proves the confidence socially and environmentally conscious investors have in these bills; as the Expert Panel of Sustainable Finance’s report released last week noted, without more pipeline projects oil and gas companies will have less incentive to invest in further emissions reductions. Moreover, contrary to prevalent rhetoric, TMX provides minimal opportunity to reduce reliance on U.S. markets. This single project will not resolve these larger, long-term considerations of national interest.

Extensive consultation and tremendous collective effort by directly affected stakeholders has led to an informed, consensus view of what to do with bills C-69 and C-48. Going against the shared majority view means ignoring fundamental science and economics, First Nations leaders intent on alleviating poverty, Canadian representatives bound by oath to provide “sober second thought” on proposed laws like these bills, and a full cross-section of job-creators of all sizes from coast-to-coast-to-coast.

Instead of advancing a vision for economic self-determination informed by the collective intelligence of the “big we” Team Canada, Trudeau and his team of 176 would be bending to a false narrative promoted by foreign interests who benefit at the expense of our shared prosperity and energy independence. It’s a narrative that promotes alienating entire regions and First Nation communities from their rightful opportunities for economic development.

So Prime Minister Trudeau should please stop. Then step up and do right by Canada.

He must respect the collaboration — the good faith — which led to the Senate’s amendments to Bill C-69 and accept them in full. Respect the Senate committee’s recommendation to dissolve Bill C-48. Respect his responsibility to work with a commitment to collaborative nation-building and his fellow Canadians.