NEB hearings on Energy East Pipeline set to begin in Saint John, N.B.

He said he plans to raise concerns about the impact an oil spill would have in the turbulent waters of the Bay of Fundy. So far, he isn’t persuaded by TransCanada’s mitigation plans.

“They would have to work a lot harder than they are now to convince us that they could respond in an effective way, that’s for sure,” said Thomas.

He said he wants to highlight that the pipeline, which would carry 1.1 million barrels of crude per day from the Alberta oilsands to the East Coast, would increase greenhouse gas emissions. But that issue will be assessed in a separate review process run by the federal government.

Roger Hunka, director of intergovernmental affairs at the Maritime Aboriginal Peoples Council, has submitted 16 detailed questions ahead of his presentation scheduled for Tuesday.

He said the council is not opposed to development if it’s well-planned and well-communicated. But TransCanada hasn’t done a good job doing that, he said.

“TransCanada … from my experience, has had a very disdained approach to citizens,” said Hunka. “When it comes to the public, they don’t really care.”

He said his main concern is the impact a spill would have on the environment and how that would affect hunting and fishing grounds.

TransCanada spokesman Mark Cooper said the company is committed to informing the public about all aspects of the project.

“Communication, transparency, accountability, and openness with local communities is fundamental to building confidence and acceptance of our projects,” said Cooper. “Open, two-way communications and information sharing with indigenous communities is essential in order to build a better Energy East.”

He said TransCanada has had more than 3,200 meetings with 166 aboriginal communities across Canada since 2013, including direct meetings with 16 of them in New Brunswick.

Still, oil and gas projects remain contentious in a province scarred from past clashes over natural resources development.

In October 2013, a protest in Rexton by the Elsipogtog First Nation and others against shale gas exploration turned violent when some started throwing Molotov cocktails. At least five police vehicles were destroyed and dozens were arrested.

Not all intervenors are opposed to Energy East, with many companies and business groups strongly in favour.

Joel Richardson of Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters is planning to voice his support and encourage the hiring of local companies to build the project.

“We felt there was a tremendous opportunity for New Brunswick companies to support all the needs that TransCanada’s going to have, and also just to really support a tremendous job creation opportunity at a time when New Brunswick unemployment is still hovering over 10 per cent,” said Richardson.

The hearings, which will take place in nine other cities, are scheduled to wrap up in Kingston, Ont., in December.

The board must make a recommendation on the project by March 16, 2018, to the federal government.

Follow @ibickis on Twitter.

Ian Bickis, The Canadian Press

by Canadian Press

NEB hearings on Energy East Pipeline set to begin in Saint John, N.B.

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