OTTAWA 鈥� First Nations, environmental advocates, and anti-pipeline activists are celebrating the Federal Court of Appeal overturning of the federal government鈥檚 approval of the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion, while the project鈥檚 proponents say they are
The court ruled unanimously Thursday that the National Energy Board's review of the project was flawed, and that the government failed to properly consult First Nations before approving the pipeline between Edmonton, Alta. and Burnaby, B.C.
Here鈥檚 what key stakeholders and decision makers have to say about this major hurdle for Trans Mountain and the federal government, who is on the cusp of officially being the owner of the $4.5-billion pipeline.
Finance Minister Bill Morneau:
"While we want to make sure the project proceeds, we also want to make sure it moves ahead in the right way. Today, Kinder Morgan shareholders also voted to endorse our government's purchase of the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion and its related assets. Our next step is to close on the acquisition of the project," said Morneau.
"We chose to purchase the project because it鈥檚 a sound investment," Morneau told reporters in Toronto.
In an interview with BNN Bloomberg, Morneau said he knows there is more work to be done to figure this out.
Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer:
"This is just another gut-punch to workers all across Canada, and taxpayers," said Scheer. "I don't think there鈥檚 any question as to who got the better deal this morning, it鈥檚 not the Canadian taxpayer."
Scheer said his party is outraged that the federal Liberals have ignored requests to discuss the matter more fully in Parliament, and said Conservatives would have done more meaningful consultation.
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh:
"It is inexcusable the Liberals decided to completely dismiss their concerns. I've said this before, and I鈥檒l say it again; climate leaders don鈥檛 buy or expand pipelines. They don鈥檛 ignore the very genuine concerns raised by Indigenous and other communities directly impacted by pipelines, or the people who pay the dearest price. The government should never have bought this pipeline,鈥� Singh said. 鈥淚t is clear to Canadians that this is not a sound investment."
Green Leader Elizabeth May:
"This is a decisive victory for all the parties involved in this case fighting to stop Kinder Morgan, including the government of British Columbia," May said on 麻豆传媒 Channel. She also called the ruling a 鈥渇atal blow鈥� to the pipeline, questioning how the Trudeau government will proceed.
Tsleil-Waututh First Nation Chief Maureen Thomas:
"I believe our federal government are good people, they tried to do what they believed was the right decision, but now they鈥檙e going to have to take a second look and they鈥檙e going to have to find a way to work with all of us鈥� and this is what in my mind, today really represents, building a relationship for Canada," Thomas said during a joint press conference with several First Nations in Vancouver, B.C.
Kinder Morgan Canada's Ian Anderson:
"We are reviewing the decision with the Government of Canada and are taking the appropriate time to assess next steps. We remain committed to building this Project in consideration of communities and the environment, with meaningful consultation with Indigenous Peoples and for the benefit of Canadians. Trans Mountain is currently taking measures to suspend construction related activities on the Project in a safe and orderly manner," Anderson said in a statement.
British Columbia Premier John Horgan:
"I'm not unlike many, many British Columbians who have held the view that our coast was not considered by the National Energy Board and I feel that those citizens have been vindicated today," Horgan said.
"I've always felt that if you do what鈥檚 right for the majority of people, you鈥檙e going to get the outcome that they want, and I think that we鈥檝e done that today."
