Gallant Talks Energy East in Alberta
EDMONTON–New Brunswick Premier Brian Gallant is in Edmonton today where he spoke with Alberta Premier Rachel Notley about the Energy East Pipeline.
The visit follows Gallant’s trip to British Columbia earlier this week, where he promoted the TransCanada-sponsored project in Vancouver.
In a press conference held following the two premiers’ meeting at the Alberta Legislature, Notley reiterated her province’s support for the $12 Billion Energy East Pipeline, saying that Gallant has been a great ally to her government’s efforts to ensure the project goes through.
Premier Gallant said that trade between the two provinces amounts to $2 billion, describing the relationship between Alberta and New Brunswick as being very “fruitful.”
The premier was also quick to point out that the nature of trade between the two provinces includes more than energy.
“I know what many are thinking,” said Gallant. “Obviously a lot of the trade has to do with energy, there’s no doubt about it, but there are many other industries as well that benefit from a strong economic relationship as well between Alberta and New Brunswick: whether it’s financial, back-office or professional services.”
With that acknowledgement made, Gallant turned to the theme that most in the room were waiting to hear about.
“There’s no doubt that energy is something that is top of mind for both provinces…We have many projects on the horizon that we believe will help us with our priority of creating jobs and economic opportunity in New Brunswick. One of those projects of course is the Energy East Pipeline.”
“We are big supporters of the project…it will help us ensure that an industry that’s very important to the whole Canadian economy is able to grow; and it will be important for us as a country to be able to diversify our export markets in energy,” Gallant said.
The National Energy Board is still reviewing TransCanada’s proposal, with some amended documents still outstanding after the proposed tanker terminal at Cacouna, Quebec on the St. Lawrence River was ruled out.
With Alberta and New Brunswick pushing for the project’s approval, support from Quebec and Ontario – an important factor in securing NEB approval – has been patchy.
And though support for the project is generally high in New Brunswick, some have expressed concerns about the potential environmental impact on the Bay of Fundy.
Rachel Notley meets with NB Premier Brian Gallant, talks #EnergyEast & climate change: https://t.co/zFFisGKm0C #yeg pic.twitter.com/LbpdY9yU6B — Global Lethbridge (@GlobalLeth) October 29, 2015