Sask. mayors react as Quebec pursues pipeline injunction

The mayors of Saskatchewan’s largest cities came out firing against the government of Quebec during a Tuesday appearance on Gormley.

The reactions came during discussion of an injunction sought by the government of Quebec against TransCanada’s Energy East pipeline.

Saskatoon Mayor Don Atchison called the move a shameless case of playing politics in the face of an economic downturn that has left many in Western Canada wondering where their next paycheque is coming from.

“I think the mayor’s in the big cities in Western Canada have to get together and say ‘enough’s enough, that we need to look after the citizens in our communities and our provinces right now,'” he said.

Regina Mayor Michael Fougere said the proposed pipeline is clearly a matter that falls under federal jurisdiction.

“It is not for a provincial government to say no to a pipeline. It’s a national objective here. It is under the purview of the federal government and this is very unfortunate politics by the government of Quebec.

Both mayors also pointed to transfer payments made by the West that have benefited Quebec.