ROME—Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is standing by the Kinder Morgan pipeline project, even as the New Democrats and Greens in B.C. are teaming up to fight it.
“The decision we took on the Trans Mountain pipeline was based on facts and evidence on what is in the best interests of Canadians and indeed, all of Canada,” Trudeau said May 30 in Rome at a joint news conference with Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni.
“Regardless of the change in government in British Columbia or anywhere, the facts and evidence do not change.”
The Liberal government understands that growing a strong economy requires taking leadership on both the environment and the economy, he added.
“That is what drives us in the choices we make. We stand by those choices.”
Trudeau’s comments followed the news that B.C.’s anti-pipeline Green party and the provincial NDP have come to an agreement that could see the formation of a minority NDP government in the province, casting doubt on the project’s future.
Both parties have voiced their opposition to the Trans Mountain expansion, which would nearly triple the capacity of the pipeline that runs from Edmonton to Burnaby, B.C.
At a news conference on May 30 alongside B.C. NDP Leader John Horgan, Green party Leader Andrew Weaver was blunt in his rejection of future fossil fuel infrastructure in the province, saying the promised jobs from the sector haven’t happened.
