LILLEY: Trudeau punts on Trans Mountain pipeline again
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Brian Lilley
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Published on: April 18, 2019 | Last Updated: April 22, 2019 4:55 PM EDT
A sign warning of an underground petroleum pipeline is seen on a fence at Kinder Morgan's facility where work is being conducted in preparation for the expansion of the Trans Mountain Pipeline, in Burnaby, B.C., on April 9, 2018. Darryl Dyck / The Canadian Press
The construction starts now — that was Bill Morneau's promise when he announced Canada was buying the Trans Mountain pipeline from Kinder Morgan.
It was May 29, 2018 when Justin Trudeau sent his finance minister to announce the purchase of the stalled pipeline.
One of the reasons Morneau listed off was to make sure construction went ahead.
"To guarantee the summer construction season for the workers who are counting on it," Morneau told reporters gathered in the National Press Theatre.
He would make the claim again and again in interviews; the government was spending $4.5 billion to buy the project to ensure shovels were in the ground, that jobs were not lost.
Now, 11 months later, construction still has yet to start and the Trudeau government just announced another delay.
Natural Resources Minister Amarjeet Sohi speaks about the government's plan for the Trans Mountain Expansion Project during a news conference in Ottawa, Wednesday Oct. 3, 2018. Adrian Wyld / THE CANADIAN PRESS
After getting conditional approval for the project — provided more than 150 conditions were met — the feds just announced they will take more time.
Rather than announce whether the Trudeau cabinet will approve the pipeline by May 22, 2019, they will delay that decision until June 18.
I'm sure it is no coincidence that the new date means the decision will only be announced after the House of Commons rises for the summer.
While June 18 is listed as a possible sitting day, MPs often find a way to wrap for the summer early.
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That will surely happen this time to avoid questions in the House before October's election.
In making the announcement of yet another delay, Infrastructure Minister Amarjeet Sohi made a bizarre claim.
"Our plan provides clarity and certainty — both for the communities engaged in this process and for all Canadians," Sohi said.
Actually that's the problem — it provides still yet more uncertainty and possibly the loss of the 2019 construction season.
If cabinet does approve this — in one of their last meetings before the election — do you really think construction will begin right away?
Do you honestly think the construction of a pipeline, now in the hands of bureaucrats whose political masters are in campaign mode, will snap to and begin construction in the face of what will surely be defiant protests throughout B.C.?
Sohi explained the delay as to allow for more time for consultations with indigenous groups.
"This process includes engaging in meaningful, two-way dialogue — to discuss and understand priorities of the groups our teams meet and to offer responsive accommodations, where appropriate," Sohi said.
"I also continue to build relationships with Indigenous groups, and I want to thank them for their time and such thoughtful conversations."
Okay, let's pause and think about the electoral math and the electoral map for a moment.
The Trudeau Liberals will likely be wiped out in Alberta regardless of what happens with the pipeline.
What they need to survive are votes in B.C. — particularly in the Vancouver area where pipeline opposition is strong.
And despite the fact many First Nations groups have signed onto the pipeline as partners and stand to benefit from it, those aren't the votes Trudeau needs.
First Nations groups that support the oil and gas industry don't get profiled on our national TV newscasts.
Those who protest against the pipeline do.
Nothing in the current landscape — the delay, the players, the vibe coming off this government — makes me think this pipeline will go ahead.
There is a very good chance that we overpaid last year for a pipeline that will never be built.
It's the new politics and sunny ways.
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