Energy East is Good for All Canadians

B00Mer

Keep Calm and Carry On
Sep 6, 2008
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www.getafteritmedia.com
Energy East is Good for All Canadians



Alberta’s ability to access energy markets is crucial, not only for our province’s energy industry, but for Canada’s economic future.

The energy sector is responsible for nearly 10 per cent of our national GDP and employs more than half a million Canadians. We have already seen the impact that a struggling energy industry can have on our economy — the falling loonie being the most visible example.

The Energy East pipeline is an important project that will expand Canada’s ability to reach energy markets overseas, creating jobs across the country and economic benefits for years to come. Recently, groups opposing this pipeline have pointed to safety, environmental and economic concerns. These concerns are both unfounded and based on incorrect assumptions about the project and Alberta.

From both an environmental and economic perspective, the Energy East pipeline will have a positive impact on Canada.

The fact is, pipelines are the safest way to move oil and bitumen. Without pipelines, oil and bitumen are transported by rail or in trucks, both of which are more expensive and come with significant environmental risks.

The environmental concerns with the Energy East pipeline are similarly unsupported by the evidence. Alberta’s recently introduced climate leadership plan has seen widespread support, from world leaders to local environmentalists, and our plan compares favourably to Quebec’s policies. We have put a cap on oilsands emissions, put a price on carbon and are phasing out coal-fired electricity.

Alberta is doing its part. We are stepping up and joining our fellow provinces in a national effort to reduce carbon emissions.

Many people in Quebec may be surprised to learn that much of the oil that fuels their cars comes, not from Canada, but from tankers travelling from as far away as Nigeria. Quebec government data shows the province spent nearly $25 billion in 2013 and 2014 combined to import oil from international markets. These billions could be spent in Canada, on oil produced by a province with high environmental standards, creating jobs and economic growth for all Canadians.

According to a 2015 update to a Conference Board of Canada study on the economic impacts of Energy East, the project would result in approximately 14,000 jobs during development and construction, and over 3,000 full-time direct and indirect jobs across Canada every year during the first 20 years of operation.

The national economic impact is huge — with over $16 billion in GDP expected in the nine-year development and construction phase and nearly $40 billion in first 20 years of operation. For Quebec alone, the Energy East project would add $9.2 billion to the economy, create over 3,000 direct and indirect jobs per year during the construction phase, and contribute $2.1 billion in new tax revenues.

However, the economic impact of the Energy East pipeline on one province or metropolitan area should not be our focus in this debate. This is not a zero-sum game, where what is good for Alberta is bad for Quebec. A thriving energy sector, managed in an environmentally responsible way, which provides good jobs and contributes significantly to our national economy, is good for all Canadians.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau recently stated that Canada can and should work together on economic issues. Our country’s history is built on projects that connect our nation — economically, physically and culturally — from coast to coast. Let’s put politics aside and work together to build a prosperous, responsible and resilient Canada.

Bilous: Energy East is good for all of Canada | Calgary Herald
 

captain morgan

Hall of Fame Member
Mar 28, 2009
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I say, build the pipeline to Montreal and ship Western Canadian raw sewage instead of bitumen. The powers that be in Que don't have any issues with draining sewage into the water systems there.

Problem solved
 

mentalfloss

Prickly Curmudgeon Smiter
Jun 28, 2010
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Harper couldn't get it done in 10 years and 4 of those with a majority.

If Trudeau can pull it off it would clinch the next election.
 

mentalfloss

Prickly Curmudgeon Smiter
Jun 28, 2010
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So you're pushing for a project you think won't get completed.

Smart.
 
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MHz

Time Out
Mar 16, 2007
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'The Energy East pipeline is an important project that will expand Canada’s ability to reach energy markets overseas, creating jobs across the country and economic benefits for years to come.'

There are no overseas customers, the customers would be the Canadians in the east that are making use of imported oil. We would recycle money in Canada rather than find exports increasing.
 

TenPenny

Hall of Fame Member
Jun 9, 2004
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Location, Location
'The Energy East pipeline is an important project that will expand Canada’s ability to reach energy markets overseas, creating jobs across the country and economic benefits for years to come.'

There are no overseas customers, the customers would be the Canadians in the east that are making use of imported oil. We would recycle money in Canada rather than find exports increasing.



Three quarters of the refined products manufactured in Saint John are exported.


As well, the capacity of the pipeline is such that about half of the oil in it would have to be exported.
 

taxslave

Hall of Fame Member
Nov 25, 2008
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Western Canada has centuries worth of coal left. We should be building more coal fired plants to produce the electricity required to process oil and gas for export.