Considering the potential environmental and economic impact of the currently planned pipelines, they are naturally important political topics. As of such, multiple news outlets such as the National Post and the Globe and Mail, have reported and compared the stance various stances the top parties have taken on the subject.
In support of the Keystone XL pipeline from the Alberta tar sands to the U.S. Gulf Coast are both the Conservatives and the Liberals. Although they are primarily focused on economic benefits such as job creation, both parties have made statements on predicted environmental effects.
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The Harper government states that this pipeline should have negligible impact on the environment, referring to an environmental review by the U.S State Department. However, the Liberal party believes that current review process is not strict enough but still believe it will beneficial to Canada as long as it is handled well.
Meanwhile, the NDP is against the Keystone pipeline due to the economic reason that new jobs will be beneficial to the U.S rather than Canada. Additionally, Mulcair states that the environmental review system is unreliable and is against pipeline projects under the Harper government in general.
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Regarding the Northern Gateway pipeline from Alberta to Kitimat, BC, the Conservative government is also supportive due to its benefits as one of Canada’s natural resources.
In contrast, both the Liberals and NDP are firmly against the project, pointing out opposition by the First Nations people. The difference between the two is that Mulcair is willing to implement the project with approval by local residents. Trudeau aims to discontinue the project entirely.
The last potential pipeline is the Kinder Morgan Trans Mountain pipeline, which like the Northern Gateway also cuts through BC. Again, the Conservatives are in support of the pipeline for the sake of creating jobs and developing the oil sands industry.
The Liberals are mostly neutral towards the project, saying that they will accept it if the environmental and public issues are addressed properly.
The NDP maintain their stance against new pipelines under the Harper government.
In summary, new pipeline projects are likeliest under the Conservative government. Under the Liberal of NDP government, while these projects are not guaranteed to be cancelled, both parties wish to review them further in case of problems with the environment and local communities
Ivan Lan
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