Feds back motion in support of Trans Mountain, despite B.C. government turmoil

OTTAWA — The federal Liberal government has thrown its weight behind an opposition motion backing Kinder Morgan’s Trans Mountain pipeline expansion even as political turmoil in British Columbia continues to threaten the project’s future.

The motion, brought by Conservative MP Mark Strahl, affirms that the project has social license to proceed, is critical to the economy, is environmentally sound and should proceed as planned.

The motion passed Tuesday by a vote of 252-51, with the backing of all Liberal MPs, except two B.C. backbenchers who have criticized the project in the past.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau last fall approved the project to twin the Trans Mountain pipeline between Edmonton and Burnaby, B.C. and B.C. Premier Christy Clark came to support it in January after five conditions she placed on it had been met.