Here's a different take on Kinder Morgan's ultimatum and the so-called "constitutional crisis" it has sparked. I'm speculating, of course, as we all seek to understand what Kinder Morgan is really up to. But allow me to posit a minority theory:
The Kinder Morgan pipeline expansion conflict reveals a much larger crisis than the “constitutional” or “investor confidence” crises constructed by the projects’ proponents. The conflict reveals a profound failure of leadership from both levels of government, but most of all, from the prime minister, in response to the true crises facing this country.
Until now, I have hesitated to criticize the environmental policies of the Trudeau government because of its public commitment to improving transparency, re-establishing the role of science in policymaking, and advancing a pan-Canadian climate plan. But the showdown over Kinder Morgan’s proposed Trans Mountain pipeline has exposed the fact that science has become a casualty of the policymaking process, making resolution of this dispute – and protection of the environment – less likely.
Despite sparring between provinces and Ottawa, pipeline's future likely depends on court challenges
Posted: Apr 12, 2018
Between boycotts, showdowns, shareholder action and emergency cabinet meetings, it's easy to overlook the lack of a crucial perspective in the white noise currently surrounding Kinder Morgan's Trans Mountain expansion project.
But if Indigenous voices are missing from this moment's very public pipeline debate, it's not because they're not speaking.
Stewart Phillip is Grand Chief of Okanagan Nation and president of the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs. Serge ‘Otsi’ Simon is Grand Chief of the Mohawk Council of Kanesatake.
As the federal and Alberta governments continue to pull their hair out over the B.C. government’s stand against Kinder Morgan’s Trans Mountain pipeline expansion and tanker project, it’s important to point out, as we’ve been doing for years, that the pipeline company doesn’t have the consent of all First Nations along the route. In fact, many of them are strongly opposed to the project.
40 GROUPS IN QUEBEC FROM THE ENERGY EAST FIGHT TELL JUSTIN TRUDEAU: DO NOT TURN THE KINDER MORGAN PIPELINE INTO YOUR POLITICAL LEGACY
Montreal, 12 avril 2018 - Today, 40 groups and organizations in Quebec sent a letter to Prime Minister Trudeau, as well as Minister Catherine McKenna and Minister Jim Carr, urging the government to immediately cease supporting the Kinder Morgan Trans Mountain pipeline.
Despite what you hear from pundits and politicians, the constitutional rights of Indigenous people are not some secondary part of the Kinder Morgan saga.
Imagine if decades from now a student of Canadian political history is digging into the Kinder Morgan pipeline saga. What kind of picture would she get from scanning the news databases from April 2018?
A judge is asking B.C.’s Attorney-General Ministry to take over the case of Kinder Morgan protesters who have been arrested for allegedly violating a court injunction.
Last month, B.C. Supreme Court Justice Kenneth Affleck issued the injunction restricting protests at Kinder Morgan’s controversial Trans Mountain Pipeline Expansion Project in Burnaby. Since then nearly 150 people have been arrested.
Vancouver—Experts aren’t surprised by Kinder Morgan’s decision to pull back spending on the Trans Mountain expansion, saying it’s “highly unlikely” the pipeline will be built in the face of enduring resistance and limited demand.
After a years-long battle with B.C. municipalities, First Nations and environmentalists, and now the premier — shaking investors’ faith —the company announced it would stall all non-essential spending Sunday.
“There’s a lot of strategic stupidity here,” said regulatory lawyer Bill Gallagher.
