Manitoba Wildlands News item

Quebec And Ontario Energy East Standards

24 November 14

Ontario and Quebec are forging a common strategy on TransCanada’s $12-billion Energy East pipeline project to address its impact on greenhouse gas emissions, environmental assessments and to ensure their natural gas customers will not be disadvantaged. The two provincial leaders are allies in pushing the climate agenda to the forefront in provincial/territorial talks, arguing there needs to be a national energy strategy that focuses on both pipelines and emissions.

Quebec Environment Minister David Heurtel laid out a series of conditions TransCanada must meet before the provincial government accepts the Quebec portion of the company’s massive Energy East pipeline project.

A full environmental assessment that looks at impacts of the project on greenhouse gas emissions.
A thorough emergency plan which includes a compensation fund in case of a spill.
The company must consult nearby communities on potential social impacts of the project.
The pipeline project must respect the highest technical standards to assure public safety and protection of the environment
The project must satisfy issues dealing with First Nations and must involve them wherever needed
The project must generate economic benefits for all of Quebec, especially in job creation in areas where the pipeline will be located.
Make sure there is no impact to Quebec’s natural gas supply.

Ontario is expected soon to present its own list of criteria for approving the pipeline, says Keith Stewart, an Ontario climate campaigner with Greenpeace. “Ontario and Quebec in particular have been saying that any kind of a national energy strategy has to include climate change and that is something the federal government just doesn't want to hear,” he said.

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