The federal government has issued yet another taxpayer-backed loan guarantee — this time for up to $2 billion — to help get the massively over-budget Trans Mountain pipeline expansion over the finish line.
It is time for Canada to put an end to the biased injunction culture that has so routinely and cavalierly disrespected Indigenous laws and communities, writes academic Sam Spiegel.
In its regulatory filing, Trans Mountain Corp. said it has run into engineering difficulties related to the drilling of a tunnel in B.C. and wants to alter the route slightly for a 1.3-kilometre stretch of pipe, as well as the construction method.
The city of New Westminster has reiterated its opposition to the Trans Mountain pipeline over concerns the line would have catastrophic effects on people and wildlife in the event of a spill.
Trans Mountain wants to charge oil shippers more to use its expansion pipeline, but those increased tolls wouldn’t cover even half of the project’s $30.9-billion price tag.
The Bloc Québécois used its last opposition day to hammer the Liberals on climate change as forest fires rage across the country, forcing people from their homes and darkening the skies with smoke.
Trans Mountain will have to repay the banks, with interest, and experts warn it is unlikely the company will be able to repay banks based on the project’s construction costs, tolls and international oil markets.