Sask. Premier Brad Wall heading out to talk up Energy East pipeline
Premier Brad Wall is taking his pipeline show on the road.
Fresh from a trip to Alberta where he spoke to the Calgary Petroleum Club, Wall is preparing to head east to talk about oil and gas with other provincial leaders.
He'll meet with New Brunswick Premier Brian Gallant on June 15 and Quebec Premier Phillippe Couillard on June 16 to discuss energy issues.
Wall will also travel to Toronto to speak in support of Energy East, a proposed $15.7 billion pipeline that will transport western Canadian oil to refineries in eastern Canada and a marine terminal in New Brunswick, a new release said.
The Opposition leader in Saskatchewan, Trent Wotherspoon, says his party also supports the Energy East pipeline.
Opposition wants results, not grandstanding
However, the NDP leader says Wall should ensure he's not inflaming the situation with his rhetoric.
"As opposed to engaging those that have concerns in a serious way, in a respectful way, in a strong way that represents Saskatchewan," Wotherspoon said.
"Ultimately we want safe, responsible pipelines and we'll take those over headlines any day of the week," he said.
The premier says mincing words hasn't worked, particularly with some pipeline opponents.
"It's not borne of science. It doesn't respect the reality of where our energy sector is at in this country or even its proportionate share of global emissions in the case of climate change," Wall said.
"So I think we've got to be blunt and direct in making the case. We weren't in the past and I think that's part of the reason why we're at where we're at."
Wall says the pipeline is expected to generate $55 billion in economic benefits for Canada, including $4.3 billion in Saskatchewan and $9.3 billion in Quebec.
It will create more than 14,000 construction jobs and more than 3,300 permanent jobs when operating, he says.
