Canada will pay price for pipeline

Re: “Federal Court of Appeal quashes Trans Mountain,” Herald Online, Aug. 30.

The downside of the recent Federal Court of Appeal decision on the Trans Mountain pipeline is huge.

Companies will be unlikely to even consider any future large Canadian projects. This will result in fewer job opportunities for Canadians. Oil sales to the United States will continue at steep discounts, benefiting U.S. oil companies, while limiting Canada’s income.

This decision further reduces the possibility of the ecologically minded NDP being re-elected in Alberta. Hardly a win for green groups.

The expense of purchasing the pipeline and lack of future revenue results in less government income. The consequence: less money for social services, pensions, green innovation and many other worthwhile projects.

Remarkably, this will not result in one less barrel of oil consumption worldwide. More oil will be transported by diesel-consuming trains with their inherent higher risk of spills.

It is actually a pyrrhic victory for those against the pipeline, and a sad day for Canada.

William Kalmanovitch, Calgary