OTTAWA – The Liberal government has added two new review mechanisms to how major new pipeline proposals are assessed. Here are some quotes on the announcement:

“We believe it is important and, in fact, essential to rebuild Canadians’ trust in our environmental assessment processes. We need to take into account the views and concerns of Canadians, respect the rights and interests of indigenous peoples and support our natural resources sector.” Environment Minister Catherine McKenna.

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“The government of Canada is free to establish its own review and its own criteria for those reviews in whatever context it chooses. And the cabinet ultimately will decide — weighing all the factors that are important to determine the national interest for these major projects.” Natural Resources Minister Jim Carr.

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“We support a strong and clear regulatory framework that helps Canadians see our commitment to building and operating oil and gas pipelines in the safest and most environmentally sound way possible. TransCanada operates in a highly regulated industry. We will continue to work with all levels of government and our regulators to ensure the continued safe and environmentally sound transportation of our natural resources to market.” TransCanada spokesman Mark Cooper.

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“While we have concerns about how this delay could impact the project schedule, we support the principle that public confidence in the review process is crucial and look forward to working with the Government of Canada on how our years of work in the area of consultation will be considered. We are confident we can demonstrate to Canadians, both the need for this Project and our commitment to building and operating this pipeline to the highest standards of environmental performance while supporting Aboriginal communities and providing lasting benefits for all Canadians.” Ian Anderson, president of Kinder Morgan Canada.

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“This is not good news for the natural resources sector. This another layer, another process.” Conservative energy critic Candice Bergen.

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“We have done our part to earn that confidence of Canadians. Now the federal government is, (through) this interim solution, attempting to have that honest conversation and ensure that voices are heard so that we can get to a decision on these matters.” Alberta Environment Minister Shannon Phillips.

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“While we welcome this attempt by the federal government to clean up the broken regulatory process left behind by the Harper government, today’s announcement does little to address our longstanding concerns with the Kinder Morgan pipeline review process.” Karen Campbell, Ecojustice lawyer.

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“We are encouraged that the federal government is finally listening to the concerns of Canadians with its new transitional pipeline review process. However, it doesn’t make sense that Energy East would fall under anything but a completely reformed process. As Natural Resources Minister Jim Carr acknowledged, the National Energy Board (NEB) hasn’t yet deemed the Energy East application complete; the review has not begun. If the transitional process is just for projects under review, it shouldn’t apply to Energy East.” Adam Scott of Environmental Defence.

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“If this new process is rigorous and the government does what it says it will do, they will come to the inevitable conclusion that the Kinder Morgan pipeline cannot be built. That is what the science says, that is what the communities say and that is what the First Nations are saying.” Sven Biggs, pipeline campaigner for ForestEthics Advocacy.

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“The truth is that the current system must be totally replaced. The National Energy Board has only been doing environmental assessments since the previous Conservative government gutted the environmental assessment process with C-38 in 2012. It is ill-suited for the role and woefully inexperienced. We need to return to the regime as it existed before the previous Conservative government took an axe to it. We need to build on what worked.” Green party Leader Elizabeth May.

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“The Trudeau government has a big job on its hands fixing pipeline reviews in this country. The recent audit of the NEB reveals deep flaws in the institution, while the board itself is dominated by individuals with a background in the fossil fuel industry. There is also the ongoing priority to reverse and then strengthen the many changes made by Harper that derailed our environmental regulations.” Maude Barlow, national chairperson of the Council of Canadians.

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“In addition to these review rules, Canada must establish a science-based climate plan that includes minimum standards on carbon pricing, and that builds upon existing provincial action. Existing provincial climate commitments will not ensure Canada meets its 2030 emissions reductions goal, and are not sufficient to ensure Canada lives up to its fair share of the Paris Agreement.” Erin Flanagan, federal policy director at the Pembina Institute.

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“Greenpeace applauds Prime Minister Trudeau for taking the first steps in reforming the badly flawed environmental review process and adding an integral step to infrastructure reviews. The new rules must ensure that all energy projects are in line with Canada’s commitment to doing its part to stabilize global temperature increase below 1.5 degrees. That means no new tar sands mines or pipelines.” Peter Louwe of Greenpeace.

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“Recovery of the national economy depends on getting these pipelines built but we also need to accept that this will not happen without public support. What will be critical now is everyone stepping up to the plate so we do not face further delays. Everyone involved will need to consider not just their local interest but also the national interest.” Dylan Jones, president of the Canada West Foundation.

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“What will be important to our members and to the upstream oil and gas industry is how will this affect the in-service date of the projects and we’ll be looking into that in the coming days. I think we have an obligation to have a thorough and robust regulatory and environmental oversight, but we should always be conscious of not duplicating the process.” Tim McMillan, head of the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers.

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