Friday, May 18, 2018
EDITORIAL – Cooler heads prevailing in Trans Mountain dispute
Lobbing some gentle moves across borders, the hardball political jabs between federal and two provincial governments over the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion project have been given some room to relax, just a bit.
While this seems remote, think about it. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau chose this week to announce Canada’s gift to the newest little prince in the UK. It was an indigenous-style blanket with a note of remembrance about the Duke and Duchess’ visit to the pristine coastal environment of Haida Gwaii in 2016. An eco-friendly statement about BC oceans.
That was followed by a distinct level of diplomacy with a formal letter from BC’s environment minister to his counterpart in Ottawa, reminding the federal environment minister of common interests between the federal and BC governments when it comes to such things as being informed by science, responding to climate change, protecting the natural environment, respecting the rights of indigenous peoples, and supporting the economy including jobs. Thousands of jobs in tourism, fishing and associated industries (more jobs than the pipeline will produce and likely longer-term) are dependent on a clean and healthy environment.
Considering the intensity of harsh words this week from federal Finance Minister Bill Morneau directed at BC Premier John Horgan as essentially the spoiler of all things pipeline, and the hard core grassroots pipeline protest that is solid in BC, these softer gestures carry more power than might at first be evident. It means that cooler heads are talking about strategy in quiet places, looking for new and creative ways to keep the lid slightly off the pot so the steam doesn’t build up and explode the stew.
Meanwhile, Kinder Morgan’s self-imposed May 31 deadline to see where things are heading with the politics around Trans Mountain is coming up fast. Few people — including pundits, the public and many politicians — are sure that throwing Canadian taxpayer dollars at Kinder Morgan is a wise solution.
This is a case where BC’s thoughtful and deliberate process of asking the courts for guidance provides everyone an opportunity to see how both the environment and the economy can both come up winners.
This article was first published in the May 18, 2018 print/PDF edition of West Shore Voice News
Back to the Editorial main page | Back to the Main Page of West Shore Voice News