Alberta Energy Minister Sonya Savage had a mixed reaction to the SCC’s decision as it is a positive move for the project but other obstacles still exist..“Today’s decision by the Supreme Court of Canada further clears the way for the completion of the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion project. All five applications that were previously dismissed by the Federal Court of Appeal in 2019 have been denied the right to appeal,” the minister said in a press release..The application to appeal came last fall after the project received its second approval from the federal government..“However, the illegal protests and blockades occurring across the country in recent weeks continue to be of concern. The same well-funded and organized groups involved with the protest camps, sabotaging of public infrastructure, and the shutdown of Canada’s railway will stand in opposition to future major infrastructure projects – especially oil and gas.”.Railway blockades set up by people around the country, purported to be in support of anti-pipeline protesters, have been going on since early February. The blockades have been taken down in some regions but others, like Ontario where a group has set up camps near the rail line, are still causing disturbances even though the trains are now running again..The government of Alberta – which recently reconvened in the Legislature on February 24 – tabled Bill 1, the Defence of Critical Infrastructure Act. The Act adds specific criteria for immediate enforcement against protests that block, impede or damage infrastructure that is deemed critical to the function of the Alberta economy..“This type of unrest has serious ramifications on not just Alberta’s economy, but all of Canada’s. These protestors do not speak on behalf of First Nations, but actually stand in the way of First Nations becoming true partners in prosperity,” Savage said..“The rule of law must be maintained so that these projects can be completed on time and on schedule.”.A brief summary on the SCC website did not detail the reason for the dismissals..“Twelve sets of parties applied to the Federal Court of Appeal for leave to judicially review that decision. A single judge of the Federal Court of Appeal wrote reasons for its dismissal of six of the twelve applications for leave.”.The applications dismissed by the SCC were from two separate First Nations groups in B.C., two from conservation groups, and the fifth was from four individuals..Deirdre Mitchell-MacLean is a Senior Reporter with Western Standard.dmaclean@westernstandardonline.com.Twitter: @Mitchell_AB
Alberta Energy Minister Sonya Savage had a mixed reaction to the SCC’s decision as it is a positive move for the project but other obstacles still exist..“Today’s decision by the Supreme Court of Canada further clears the way for the completion of the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion project. All five applications that were previously dismissed by the Federal Court of Appeal in 2019 have been denied the right to appeal,” the minister said in a press release..The application to appeal came last fall after the project received its second approval from the federal government..“However, the illegal protests and blockades occurring across the country in recent weeks continue to be of concern. The same well-funded and organized groups involved with the protest camps, sabotaging of public infrastructure, and the shutdown of Canada’s railway will stand in opposition to future major infrastructure projects – especially oil and gas.”.Railway blockades set up by people around the country, purported to be in support of anti-pipeline protesters, have been going on since early February. The blockades have been taken down in some regions but others, like Ontario where a group has set up camps near the rail line, are still causing disturbances even though the trains are now running again..The government of Alberta – which recently reconvened in the Legislature on February 24 – tabled Bill 1, the Defence of Critical Infrastructure Act. The Act adds specific criteria for immediate enforcement against protests that block, impede or damage infrastructure that is deemed critical to the function of the Alberta economy..“This type of unrest has serious ramifications on not just Alberta’s economy, but all of Canada’s. These protestors do not speak on behalf of First Nations, but actually stand in the way of First Nations becoming true partners in prosperity,” Savage said..“The rule of law must be maintained so that these projects can be completed on time and on schedule.”.A brief summary on the SCC website did not detail the reason for the dismissals..“Twelve sets of parties applied to the Federal Court of Appeal for leave to judicially review that decision. A single judge of the Federal Court of Appeal wrote reasons for its dismissal of six of the twelve applications for leave.”.The applications dismissed by the SCC were from two separate First Nations groups in B.C., two from conservation groups, and the fifth was from four individuals..Deirdre Mitchell-MacLean is a Senior Reporter with Western Standard.dmaclean@westernstandardonline.com.Twitter: @Mitchell_AB