Trudeau pleased with Trump’s Keystone XL Decision

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau favours the Keystone XL decision made by U.S. President Donald Trump.  Trump approved the project through an executive order Tuesday January 24.

“I’ve been on the record for many years supporting (Keystone XL) because it leads to economic growth and good jobs for Albertans,” He told the CBC.  The $8 billion project could carry as many as 800,000 barrels of crude to Texas-based refineries.

Trudeau told CBC, Canada could still reach its climate change targets.  “We know we can get our resources to market more safely, and responsibly.”  The efforts could be aided by Alberta Premier Rachel Notley’s hard cap on oilsands emissions.

The project won’t be without its strings attached.  Trump announced some of the terms would be reworked.  “We are going to renegotiate some of the terms and, if they’d like, we’ll see if we can get that pipeline built,” he said Tuesday.  He is expected to emphasize a “Buy American” initiatives.  Media reports say Canadian officials were not given advance warning of the announcement.

Trudeau Clarifies Oilsands comments

Trudeau has been haunted by remarks he made at a town hall in Peterborough last week.  “You can’t make a choice between what’s good for the environment and what’s good for the economy.  We can’t shut down the oilsands tomorrow.  We need to phase them out.  We need to manage the transition off our dependence on fossil fuels,” he said.

He has since apologized when pressed by a reporter in Calgary.  “I misspoke.  I said something the way I shouldn’t have said.”  He added that even if transportation, and energy sectors were to reduce dependence on fossil fuels there would likely still be demand for oil-based products well into the future.

Trudeau was at a cabinet retreat in Calgary where news of Trump’s decision was well received by his ministers.  “My reaction is that it would be very positive for Canada.  4500 jobs, and a deepening of the relationship across the border on the energy file,” Natural Resources Minister Jim Carr said.

Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland is originally from Alberta. “As an Albertan it’s a great decision for Canada and Alberta.  The province needs jobs,” she said.

Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi emphasized its importance to the province.  “It is important  for Canadian energy to have access to global markets; it’s important for the prosperity of our nation for that to happen.

NDP Leader Thomas Mulcair sees the pipeline as a mistake.  “It’s not clear why Justin Trudeau is pushing to revive a pipeline that will export Canadian jobs, and ahs never been properly reviewed, he said.  The NDP believe the crude should be refined here in Canada.

Keystone XL has its Canadian approvals.  The pipeline’s route will be 1900 kms running from Hardisty Alberta to near Houston, Texas.  TransCanada still requires permission from Nebraska because it withdrew its application following Obama’s decision to deny permission for the project.