Federal government extends Trans Mountain deadline to June 18
Posted Apr 18, 2019 6:22 am.
Last Updated Apr 18, 2019 7:48 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
OTTAWA – The federal government is delaying a decision on the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion project to June 18.
Natural Resources Minister Amarjeet Sohi says the extended deadline will give the government more time to complete its consultations with Indigenous groups.
The National Energy Board endorsed an expansion of the Trans Mountain pipeline on Feb. 22, starting the clock on a 90-day period for Ottawa to make a decision.
That would have set the previous deadline for a decision at May 23.
Alberta NDP leader Rachel Notley said that would be the case on Monday, the day before the provincial election.
“We expect a positive decision next month and when the pipeline is built, it will stand as a testament to a province as a whole that stood united. A province that did what it took to get the job done.”
Construction of the pipeline expansion was put on hold last year after the Federal Court of Appeal ruled the board failed to consider marine impacts and the government needed to do more Indigenous
consultation.
The NEB report in February made 16 new recommendations for the government, including reducing noise of ferries and incentives and requirements for quiet vessel design.
With files from The Canadian Press
