Reactions from leaders of all industries and organizations to the federal government's announcement today (May 29) that it is buying Kinder Morgan Canada Limited's (TSX:KML) Trans Mountain pipeline have been strong. What are they saying?
See also:
Ottawa buying out Kinder Morgan's Trans Mountain pipeline, taking over expansion
Unwelcome surprise may await taxpayers at centre of Trans Mountain pipeline nationalization
Horgan: Trans Mountain purchase changes nothing
Kinder Morgan deal proves the B.C. ‘wine ban worked’: Notley
John Horgan, premier of British Columbia:
"Today's events do not change the risks of a seven-fold increase in tanker traffic, or the catastrophic effect a diluted bitumen spill would cause to British Columbia's economy and environment. Tens of thousands of B.C. jobs depend on pristine coastal and inland waters. Our environment generates millions in economic activity, from tourism to film and fisheries. It does not matter who owns the pipeline. What matters is defending our coast - and our lands, rivers and streams - from the impact of a dilbit spill. Our government is determined to defend British Columbia's interests within the rule of law and in the courts. We will continue our reference case to determine our rights within our provincial jurisdiction."
Laura Jones, executive vice-president and chief strategic officer, Canadian Federation of Independent Business:
“The B.C. government has a lot to answer for in putting Canada in this situation.”
Greg D’Avignon, president and CEO, Business Council of British Columbia:
“This whole exercise has shone a light on what companies have known for years: Canada is too costly, too complex and takes too long to come to a decision and get things done. The system has broken down to the point where taxpayer dollars are required to complete major infrastructure projects that support our collective prosperity when there have been willing private sector, tax-paying investors. This is no way to operate in a globally competitive world and expect to maintain our quality of life.”
Iain Black, president and CEO, Greater Vancouver Board of Trade:
“Although we are pleased this project of national significance is forging ahead, government intervention should not have been necessary for a project that was already federally approved. This is not a great day for Canada’s reputation on the international investment front. While we are going to save the vital pipeline and the thousands of jobs that come with it, today’s decision highlights how much damage has been done to our international reputation. The job ahead of us now is to rebuild Confidence in Canada.”
Rachel Notley, premier of Alberta – via Twitter:
“The deal announced today puts people to work building the pipeline right away and it will help us build up the things that matter to working families, such as our schools and our hospitals. We won’t stop until the job is done.”
Will George, Tsleil-Waututh member and spokesperson for the Coast Salish Watch House:
“This is the moment in history where Justin Trudeau has revealed that he never cared about Indigenous rights or reconciliation,” said Will George, Tsleil-Waututh member and spokesperson for the Coast Salish Watch House. “The cost that they did not calculate in their $4.5 billion purchase is that Indigenous frontlines will stop this pipeline.”
Gil McGowan, president, Alberta Federation of Labour – via Twitter:
“To all those complaining about the cost of today’s big pipeline purchase: Trans Mountain is profitable business. The line is a valuable asset. Oil companies are paying tolls every day to ship down the existing pipe. This is an INVESTMENT that will generate returns, not a subsidy.”
Val Litwin, president and CEO, BC Chamber of Commerce:
“It’s long-overdue good news that Canada will get its resources to tidewater and stop selling to a single customer – but the fact that our federal government had to step in proves there’s still deep uncertainty around investing in Canada. Our nation must take a hard look at itself; the regulatory regime in Canada is broken.”
Tzeporah Berman, adjuct professor, environmental studies, York University – via Twitter:
“This decision will haunt Trudeau government. This of us who knocked on doors for him will not forget that he took billions of dollars from Canadian families to buy out an oil pipeline that violates indigenous rights & our commitments in climate change.”
Caitlyn Vernon, campaigns director, Sierra Club of BC
“Kinder Morgan is laughing their way to the bank, and Canadian taxpayers have just been saddled with an expensive and outdated project that won’t get built. For Ottawa to pour billions into an asset that no one else wants to own is a monumental folly that flies in the face of all the evidence."
Chris Bloomer, CEO, Canadian Energy Pipeline Association:
“CEPA is deeply concerned that the government needed to purchase the project for it to be built and to assert federal jurisdiction. The project has always been in the national interest. CEPA is concerned about the implications of the government’s financial intervention for future transmission pipeline projects. We do not believe that this outcome will instill investor confidence in Canada."
Karen Mahon, strategy director, Stand.earth:
“Since a strong majority of Canadians — and both federal opposition parties — are opposed to the purchase of this pipeline, this boondoggle could threaten the reelection of Trudeau’s Liberal government. What really happened today is that the government admitted no one in the private sector wanted to buy this failing project, and now they’re left covering their political asses by buying it themselves — all on the taxpayer’s dime.”
Mike Hudema, climate and energy campaigner, Greenpeace Canada:
“Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government has just signed up to captain the Titanic of tar sands oil pipelines, putting it on a collision course with its commitments to Indigenous rights and the Paris climate agreement. Trudeau is gambling billions of Canadian taxpayer dollars on an oil project that will never be built — a project that Kinder Morgan itself has indicated is ‘untenable’ and that faces more than a dozen lawsuits, crumbling economics, and a growing resistance movement that is spreading around the world.”
Steve Cornish, CEO, David Suzuki Foundation:
“Regardless of who builds it, the environmental, economic, climate and Indigenous rights risks remain the same. We have an opportunity to diversify from fossil fuels into a clean energy economy, but this decision jeopardizes our success. It’s a risky time to spend public dollars on carbon-intensive energy when the rest of the world is prioritizing cleaner energy sources.”
More to come.
