Trump threats revive push for pipelines. Is Quebec on board?
On a picturesque stretch of land by the Ottawa River, near the Quebec-Ontario border, Katherine Massam stands with a sense of unease. She points to a sign warning of a pipeline under “high pressure” that runs beneath her feet – Enbridge Line 9B, transporting oil from Alberta to Montreal refineries.
As a mother of two in the small village of Très-Saint-Rédempteur, Que., Massam worries about the potential risks of a pipeline leak and its impact on local drinking water. She is also concerned about how new pipeline projects could hinder Canada’s efforts to meet its climate targets. “A pipeline spill would be a disaster,” she said, emphasizing the need for environmental protection.
Massam is one of many environmentalists who have long opposed pipeline projects in the region. The proposed Energy East pipeline, which would have carried over a million barrels of oil a day from Alberta to Saint John, N.B., was abandoned in 2017 due to delays and opposition from activists like Massam.
However, political dynamics are shifting, with the Quebec government showing a new openness to energy projects. Premier François Legault, who once criticized Alberta oil as “dirty energy,” now says Quebec will consider proposals if they have “social acceptability.” A recent poll indicates growing support for such projects in Quebec, though a majority remain opposed.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has made reviving energy projects a priority, advocating for an “energy corridor” to move oil to Saint John and the construction of a liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal in Saguenay. Liberal Leader Mark Carney has also expressed openness to pipelines, emphasizing the importance of collaboration with Indigenous communities and provinces.
Even the NDP and Greens have not completely ruled out pipelines, though they are focusing more on promoting an east-west electricity grid. The Bloc Québécois, on the other hand, has made opposition to new pipelines a central campaign message, arguing that they would not benefit the Quebec economy.
As the debate over pipelines continues, experts like energy economist Andrew Leach and former Alberta energy minister Sonya Savage underscore the importance of secure energy supply for Canada. They warn of the vulnerabilities of current supply routes through the U.S. and stress the need for political leadership in ensuring national energy security.
Despite these arguments, environmentalists remain steadfast in their opposition to new pipeline projects. They view the revival of such projects as a “mirage” that contradicts the urgent need to transition to renewable energy sources. With the world moving towards net-zero emissions by 2050, they argue that investing in new oil and gas projects is incompatible with climate action.
As the discussion unfolds in Quebec and across Canada, the balance between economic interests, environmental concerns, and Indigenous rights will continue to shape the future of energy development in the region. The decision-makers must navigate these complex issues to find a sustainable path forward that respects both the environment and the well-being of communities in the area.
