KAMLOOPS, BC – Cathy McLeod, Member of Parliament for Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo, made the following submission on July 20 to a Federal Ministerial Panel holding consultations in Kamloops on the Trans Mountain Expansion Project.
Dear Panel,
It’s clear that our world needs to move toward a future where clean energy is far more paramount. Until that time, we continue to rely on oil for so many aspects of our lives.
Shouldn’t the oil we use be transported safely and be from conflict-free regions, like Canada?
The proposed expansion to the Trans Mountain Pipeline is key to bringing Canada’s ethical oil to Asian markets safely and efficiently. According to the federal Department of Natural Resources, Canadian pipelines had a safety rate of 99.999% between 2009 and 2013, far greater than any other means of transportation. Further, most of the proposed pipeline would be constructed along the existing pipeline and other infrastructure – only 11% would require a new path.
Expanding the pipeline will create nearly 20,000 high-quality and well-paying jobs, and provide an estimated $480 million along the route. And let’s not forget that the tax revenue from this project will fund necessary government services, including healthcare, infrastructure, and education.
Since 2012, I have been aware of the regular – and significant – community outreach by Kinder Morgan Canada regarding this proposal. The result has been dozens of benefit agreements, created with both Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities.
The National Energy Board approved the expansion with 157 stringent environmental and safety conditions in May of this year. If the company is able to meet each of these to the Board’s discretion, this project would have my whole-hearted support.