Lakeland MP Shannon Stubbs has released a statement welcoming US Presdient Donald Trump’s approval of the Keystone XL Pipeline.
“Today’s announcement from Washington is great news for Albertans, and for all Canadians,” Stubbs said in Tuesday’s statement. “Keystone XL will increase export capacity into the US, create thousands of jobs for Canadians in oil and gas, and manufacturing, and finally provide workers and proponents some certainty.
“This approval of responsible energy transportation infrastructure will increase export capacities to Canada’s #1 oil and gas customer, diversify Canadian energy export markets, and expand the customer base for Canadian energy around the world.
“While the US is ramping up domestic energy production and positioning to become a major energy competitor for Canadian oil and gas, I am glad the President made a common sense, fact based decision, put economic best interests, the Canadian US partnership, and the standard of living and energy security of North Americans, ahead of extremist ideology and short sighted activism, by reversing the previous veto. “Canada’s energy is the most socially and environmentally responsible oil and gas in the world. Expanding the ability to export it internationally means Canada will continue to be a global energy leader.
“Keystone XL is a great step, but Canada’s energy products need to get to more markets in the future, and critical infrastructure is required in all directions. The Liberals have delayed and changed the approval steps for Energy East, and for other energy development, over and over again. The extensions to Canada’s already world leading regulatory process, and comments like those of the Prime Minister about phasing out the oil sands, cause uncertainty for investors, pipeline proponents, and for unemployed energy workers. Canada needs to continue to develop its vast energy resources. Energy East will provide Canadian oil to Canadian refineries under Canadian standards, providing Canadian jobs and enabling access to tidewater. The Liberals are threatening Canada’s competitiveness and long term prosperity by stalling this project further. Instead, they should champion Canadian oil and gas, and Canadian workers because the world needs more Canada.”