Alberta’s Wildrose Party Leader Brian Jean says the abrupt cancellation of the Energy East pipeline hearings in Montreal after protesters stormed the room is proof that the NDP’s plan to appease activists isn’t working.
The ruckus began Monday morning when one protester ran to the table where the National Energy Board commissioners were seated and almost knocked it over.
The commissioners left the room and police entered to remove the protesters. Three people were arrested.
“The small, union-led protest in Montreal this morning that forced the cancellation of NEB hearings on the Energy East pipeline is the most clear evidence to date of the failure of Premier Rachel Notley’s plan to gain social license by increasing taxes on Albertans and capping oilsands development,” Jean said in a release.
“Albertans were told that in exchange for paying $9 billion in carbon taxes over the next five years, projects like Energy East would be given a fair shake by the radical left and its activists within the environmental movement. It is crystal clear that there is no appeasement of these groups. There will be no ‘social license’ gained by taxing Albertans.”
TransCanada remains optimistic
TransCanada, the company behind Energy East, told CBC News it remains optimistic the hearings will foster a positive dialogue with Quebecers on its $15.7-billion project.
“We are ready to respectfully and constructively begin the sessions in Montreal after five such productive sessions in New Brunswick — and we will be ready when the sessions resume,” spokesman Tim Duboyce said.
“Listening, earning trust and dealing with the public’s concerns will help us build and operate a safe pipeline.”
The federal minister of natural resources said Monday he’s concerned about the disruption.
“The whole operation is designed to hear from Canadians, whatever their point of view might be,” said Jim Carr, who was in Edmonton speaking to a business group.
“If there were circumstances this morning that didn’t allow people to speak on a very important national subject, I’m sorry about that,” Carr said.
“Not everyone’s going to agree. But everyone should have a right to express themselves, and that’s a fundamental Canadian value.”