New government puts pipeline talk in the spotlight at Regina luncheon

Talks about the future of pipeline projects in Canada seem to be renewed and reenergized with a new majority government.

Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall had recently expressed his hope that Justin Trudeau and the Liberals would seriously consider the TransCanada Energy East Pipeline. On Thursday, a vice-president with that pipeline project, Gary Houston, spoke of the benefits of the $12-billion project to Regina’s business community during a The Regina & District Chamber of Commerce luncheon.

He indicated how the 4,600 kilometre pipeline from Alberta to New Brunswick would produce 1.1 million barrels per day while creating 14,000 jobs during development and construction. Saskatchewan’s oil would be moved through that pipeline and local companies like Evraz would stand to benefit in a major way.

Houston said they’ll be filing an amended application in December. At that point it’ll be up to the National Energy Board to assess. He’s optimistic he can secure the permission of Canadians to cozy up to the project, whether that be environmental groups, First Nations or the government itself.

“We’re very confident that we can demonstrate to the government, to Canadians, that this is a project that’s in the best interest of the country,” Houston said. “I think that it’s also on Mr. Trudeau’s mind that it’s good for Canada. He said so. He’s got some questions about process and we’d like to work through that with him.”

If he can convince all the interested parties in the merits of the project and everything attached with that goes to plan, Houston believes Energy East could be under construction by 2018.