Demise of Energy East exposes deep political divide between energy, environment
OTTAWA — TransCanada’s decision to cancel the Energy East pipeline project exposed deep divisions across the political landscape Thursday, highlighting the ever-present clash between energy development and environmental protection.
The premiers of Alberta and New Brunswick and Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi all expressed disappointment over the decision, while the Opposition Conservatives blasted Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Liberal government for “disastrous” energy policies that they blame for lost jobs and investment.
Quebec politicians, along with Indigenous and environmental groups, welcomed the project’s demise, branding it as a harbinger of the inevitable death of fossil fuels and a reminder of the need for further green energy development.
The political implications for the federal Liberals, who are trying to strike a difficult balance between energy and the environment, were mixed. Where charges of environmental negligence followed the approvals of the Trans Mountain and Line 3 projects, this time the government was savaged for being soft on jobs and economic growth.