To the editor,
Re: B.C., Alberta clash as Kinder Morgan suspends Trans Mountain work, April 8.
This is just not a problem for B.C and Alberta. It is a problem for Canada. And Canada’s constitution and the country as we know it. This is what is not highlighted enough.
It is clear that the federal government has jurisdiction over interprovincial pipelines. The trade and commerce clause, and the navigation clause makes this clear. And all existing interprovincial pipelines operate under federal jurisdiction. The Supreme Court of Canada has already ruled on such projects.
The Government Canada has approved the project ( after extensive hearings and consultation), the government of B.C. opposes the project.
This present problem posses significant negative consequences for Canada. There is no question that already the investment climate has taken a hit and this latest Kinder Morgan decision adds to this.
Does the rule of law still apply in this country? Or does the constitution of this country mean what it says in some cases but not in others?
The Province of B.C. cannot have its cake and eat it too. That is, it cannot decide what parts of the constitution with which it agrees and what parts with which it disagrees. Such a position must have consequences.
If this is so then the country, as we know it, is no more.
Hence, the federal government must act for Canada and our constitution. That means B.C. must be brought to heel and the present B.C actions opposing the project must be removed.
Why would anyone invest in this country if the present situation is allowed to continue?
What is most insufferable and hypocritical about the B.C. position is that it uses the environment issue as its main reason for opposition while it approves a Site C hydro project which negatively affects the environment, flooding hundreds of acres of land, supports fossil fuel natural gas exploration (fracking), production and pipeline transmission, and the exploration, production and transmission of the worst fossil fuel, coal.
Brian Peckford, Nanaimo
The views and opinions expressed in this letter to the editor are those of the author and do not reflect the views of Black Press or the Nanaimo News Bulletin. If you have a different view, we encourage you to write to us or contribute to the discussion below.