The federal government's approval of the Northern Gateway pipeline is not a foregone conclusion, as many might have expected, according to Prime Minister Stephen Harper.
Harper recently took part in a question and answer session in Vancouver regarding Northern Gateway, in the process softening the Conservatives' stance that economic benefits always outweigh environmental protection when considering the approval of a project.
Responding to Iain Black, president of the Vancouver Board of Trade, and the lone questioner during the Jan. 6 event, Harper said, “We will not approve projects unless they are not only in our economic interests, but also meet the highest standards of environmental protection.”
The Prime Minister added, “We want to make sure that these kinds of projects are not just viable and give us lots of economic prosperity, but we want to make sure they are environmentally safe and every measure is taken to prevent any kind of serious environmental threat or other kind of disaster and, in the rare case that anything might happen, there are adequate responses.”
These comments contrast considerably the message sent by the federal cabinet last month regarding the approval of Shell's Jackpine oilsands mining expansion near Fort McMurray.
During the announcement of the approval, Federal Environment Minister Leona Aglukkaq said cabinet “decided that the significant adverse environmental effects that the (Jackpine expansion) is likely to cause are justified in the circumstances.”
Harper did not explain the government's change in tone, nor has he taken any questions from journalists regarding the matter.
As it stands, Harper's comments are simply that. The real test comes when the words are called into action.
Will the federal government sincerely stand up for the environment and the concerns of the public when considering the approval of this and other projects? Or are these comments mere lip service to those searching for comfort before another project approval?
