Montreal Gazette

Quebec coalition backs pipeline project

-

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 just days before the National Energy Board holds hearings on the pipeline on Monday in Montreal.

Union head Michel Trépanier 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. We welcome with open arms projects like this.”

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

On Thursday evening, Montreal Mayor Denis Coderre demanded the hearings be suspended.

Coderre said 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 lobbyist for TransCanad­a.

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

Michel Leblanc, president of the Montreal Board of Trade, told reporters the coalition, while favourable to Energy East, recognizes there is a long regulatory process the project needs to follow.

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

 ??  ?? Denis Coderre
Denis Coderre

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from Canada