Alberta granted intervener status on Trans Mountain pipeline

Alberta has been granted leave to intervene on the Kinder Morgan Trans Mountain Pipeline expansion project judicial review by the Federal Court of Appeal.

Alberta will be allowed to make both written and oral submissions. The judicial review – advanced by municipalities, First Nations and environmental groups – challenges the National Energy Board’s report and recommendation as well as the federal Governor in Council’s Order in Council approving expansion.

“New pipelines mean a brighter future for our oil and gas industry, with jobs and opportunities for tens of thousands of working families and billions of dollars in new investment. We believe that a strong economy and a clean environment go hand-in-hand. We’ll continue to show this by fighting for Alberta’s interests in court to get oil flowing to new markets and a better return for Albertans on every barrel.”

Rachel Notley, Premier

Alberta filed its intervention application with the Federal Court of Appeal on April 13, 2017. The hearing is likely to take place in the fall. Alberta will take the position that the Kinder Morgan Trans Mountain Pipeline expansion is in the public interest by presenting the economic benefits of market access. Alberta will also provide details of its Climate Leadership Plan which was cited by the federal government during project approvals. Alberta will emphasize the continued need for clear, consistent and predictable rules and processes on interprovincial projects like the Trans Mountain Pipeline expansion.

“We’re showing Canadians that Alberta is taking meaningful action on climate change and that our pipeline network is safe and something we can all be proud of. Our government worked tirelessly to get to a ‘yes’ on the Trans Mountain Pipeline and we’ll continue to stand up for Alberta to get shovels in the ground.”

Margaret McCuaig-Boyd, Minister of Energy