Goodale says pipeline will be good for Sask.

In the wake of a protest behind his Regina office this week, MP Ralph Goodale defended his support for the Trans Mountain pipeline.

The Regina-Wascana MP contends this pipeline will give Canada the ability to export oil and gas to global markets instead of just North American markets, bringing huge economic benefit.

“Resources that we produce on the Prairies will be able to get global prices for the very first time in a long time,” he said Wednesday. “The effect of that will really influence all resource prices in the Prairies, including Saskatchewan.”

He said global prices can range between US$5 and US$20 per barrel more than North American prices, depending on the particular type of product and where the market is at.

“That’s hugely significant for the Canadian economy and for the Saskatchewan economy, to be able to access that better price.”

With Evraz winning the contracts to build the pipeline, Saskatchewan will also feel an economic benefit from the construction process, said Goodale.

“That’s very tangible and direct in Saskatchewan and in Regina because that’s 1,000 jobs at Evraz Steel.”

On Monday, about 40 people gathered outside Goodale’s office to protest the federal government’s move as part of national protests organized by the Council of Canadians. They accused the government of “backroom deals,” ignoring Indigenous interests, and threatening the environment.

“The energy sector is not uni-dimensional and you simply cannot put all of your eggs in one basket or flip a switch from one type of energy supply to another,” he said in response to the concern that this was an investment away from clean, sustainable energy.

“This is a package of measures that has to be managed collectively, and while we’re working on the very best, cleanest and highest technology in the hydrocarbon sector, we’re also investing in greener fuels and alternative fuels and energy efficiency and all of those measures,” he said.

Talks continue with Indigenous groups protesting the pipeline.

“There are different points of view in various Indigenous communities, just as there are different points of view in every other kind of community. The Government of Canada listens and absorbs all of that very respectfully, and that conversation will continue,” he said.

Goodale also stressed that the Trans Mountain pipeline has “gone through the most rigorous regulatory review and environmental assessment in Canadian history.”

This review has included public dialogue, high scientific standards and continued talks with Indigenous communities, resulting in 157 specific conditions attached to the project’s approval. He said the Government of Canada, as owner of the pipeline, can ensure that all conditions are met and the integrity of the project is maintained.

Goodale said the government is looking to complete the Trans Mountain pipeline by 2020 or 2021, and then find an “appropriate point” to sell its pipeline assets.