OTTAWA—Prime Minister Justin Trudeau used a Goldilocks defence Wednesday, Sept. 28, in an effort to position the federal Liberals in the sweet spot of a boiling debate over energy development and environmental protection.
Less than 24 hours after the government gave conditional approval to a massive liquefied natural gas (LNG) project in northern British Columbia, Trudeau was in the House of Commons defending the decision, which clears a path for the production of millions of tonnes of greenhouse gases and billions of dollars in foreign investment.
“Unfortunately the members opposite either think we’re not going fast enough or we’re going too fast,” Trudeau said after fielding questions from Conservatives and New Democrats on opposing sides of the LNG divide.
“Canadians know we need to grow the economy and protect the environment right now and do it right.”
Critics are accusing the Trudeau government of policy incoherence as it simultaneously promises to repair relations with indigenous communities, ratchet down carbon emissions, and boost economic development by ensuring natural resources get to market.
