British Columbia stands by its 5 conditions for pipeline expansion

Justin Trudeau created a buzz all over Canada on Tuesday when he announced the government’s decision to approve the Kinder Morgan Transmountain Project, while rejecting the Northern Gateway proposal.

The decision concerns Canada as a whole, but the impact may be the biggest in B.C., which is why the province has laid out and continues to fight for five conditions for the pipeline’s expansion.

“In anticipation of a federal decision, our government has been consistent in fighting for British Columbia with the five conditions for any new or expanded heavy-oil pipeline,” said Mary Polak, B.C.’s Minister of Environment. “That remains the case today, and we will work to ensure each of our conditions are met.”

Those conditions are as follows:

1. Successful completion of the environmental process review.
2. World-leading marine oil spill response, prevention and recovery systems for B.C.’s coastline and ocean to manage and mitigate the risk and costs of heavy oil pipelines and shipments.
3. World-leading practices for land oil spill prevention, response and recovery systems to manage and mitigate the risks and costs of heavy oil pipelines.
4. Legal requirements regarding Aboriginal and treaty rights are addressed, and First Nations are provided with the opportunities, information and resources necessary to participate in and benefit from a heavy-oil project.
5. British Columbia receives a fair share of the fiscal and economic benefits of a proposed heavy oil project that reflects the level, degree and nature of the risk borne by the province, the environment and the taxpayers.
   

According to Polak, because B.C. has taken a clear and principled approach to stand up for the province, they have seen results.

“We’ve seen the proponent and the federal government take actions, including Ottawa’s recent Ocean Protection Plan to address world-leading marine spill prevention and response.”

Polak also added that B.C.’s environmental assessment, which has been underway for seven months, should soon be completed, which will shed more light on what precautionary measures need to be taken during this project.