Canada to decide on Northern Gateway pipeline in June

Canada will make its final decision on whether to authorise Enbridge's proposed Northern Gateway oil pipeline in mid-June, according to Reuters. If approved, the Northern Gateway pipeline would carry approximately 525 000 bbls/d of crude oil from the Alberta oil sands hub in Edmonton to a deepwater port in Kitimat, B.C.

Jason Kenney, Minister of Employment and Social Development, told local press at event in Calgary last week: "Of course we'll meet our deadline, there's a statutory deadline that we have to respect." Kenney further commented on the government’s additional consultation work with regard to the proposed pipeline. "We will approach final consideration of the (National Energy Board's joint review panel) recommendation on Northern Gateway in an objective fashion, based on the input, the evidence and the results of our consultations," said Kenney.

In December 2010, a federal review panel recommended that Enbridge’s pipeline be authorised if the company complies with 209 technical, environmental and social conditions. Following this, a 180-day review period was established for the government to make its final decision on the pipeline. The pipeline project is supported by Canada's energy industry but faces opposition from environmental groups and aboriginals. Environmentalists fear that the pipeline will lead to further development of Canada's oil sands, climate change and an increase in the risk of oil spills.

Edited from various sources by Rosalie Starling

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