Federal Court of Appeal sides with Ottawa on Trans Mountain Pipeline challenge

The judges say the government made a “genuine effort” to listen to and consider the concerns raised by the First Nations and introduced new conditions to mitigate them.

“This is a victory for common sense and the rule of law,” says Premier Jason Kenney. “We are pleased the Federal Court of Appeal made a fair decision. This ruling confirms what we’ve known all along: the Trans Mountain expansion project has been held to the highest standard at every turn.”

The head of the United Conservative Party adds that, now that this legal hurdle has been cleared, it is time to get the pipeline expansion built. Kenney claims it will result in billions of dollars in economic prosperity and will create well-paying jobs throughout the country.

NDP Leader Rachel Notley was also pleased with the decision, saying that it is a vital plank in the plan to reconstruct Alberta’s economy.

“That is why we worked so hard to change national opinion, why we stood up to BC when they threatened it, and why we pressured the federal government to buy the pipeline when it was in jeopardy. Today the project is in play, and that is good news for Alberta.”

It is not often that Notley and Kenney can both agree on something, but the political rivals are optimistic in the economic growth the pipeline expansion is likely to create.

The project would triple the capacity of the existing pipeline between Edmonton and a shipping terminal in Burnaby, B.C.

(With files from The Canadian Press)

by David Opinko / The Canadian Press

Federal Court of Appeal sides with Ottawa on Trans Mountain Pipeline challenge

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