Quebec wants injunction against Energy East pipeline over environmental concerns

The Quebec government is now seeking an injunction against the Energy East pipeline project. “The government is acting to ensure its laws are respected”, Quebec Environment Minister David Heurtel said at a televised news conference in Montreal.

TransCanada Corp.’s proposed pipeline project, which would carry 1.1 million barrels a day from Alberta through Quebec to an export terminal in Saint John, N.B.

“It (the motion) signifies that anyone who seeks to build a project in Quebec must comply with all Quebec laws and regulations”, he told reporters in Montreal.

She also says TransCanada has said it will co-operate with Quebec, but how Quebec gets that co-operation is up to them – whether it be an injunction or another legal means.

Nonetheless, Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall said the move is likely to be “divisive”.

“This not directed at any province or region”, he argued.

“It is not for a provincial government to say no to a pipeline”.

This isn’t the first time jurisdictional debates have weighed on pipeline plans.

“Let’s have one process”.

But Notley says Alberta will come out guns blazing if it turns out that Quebec wants the power to say no to the pipeline.

The move comes after a British Columbia court ruled in January the province had a responsibility to examine the Northern Gateway project in BC. The conditions include receiving regulatory environmental approval, First Nations support and a test on the economic benefits.

“Ontario used their public consultations to inform their provincial presentation to the NEB, indeed Quebec used a similar one in the past for the Line 9 Reversal, and, in fact, as you know, that was approved”, says Notley.