Transport Canada has ‘no regulatory concerns’ with plans for Northern Gateway supertanker route

Opponents of the proposed Northern Gateway pipeline project that would take crude from Alberta's oil sands across British Columbia for export to Asia via supertankers had a setback this week. Transport Canada gave thumbs-up to a key component of the plan.

The federal department told the Joint Review Panel examining the project that it had "no regulatory concerns" with Enbridge's plans to bring the giant tankers to Kitimat on the northern B.C. coast, CBC News reported.

"While there will always be residual risk in any project, after reviewing the proponent's studies and taking into account the proponent's commitments, no regulatory concerns have been identified for the vessels, vessel operations, the proposed routes, navigability, other waterway users and the marine terminal operations associated with vessels supporting the Northern Gateway Project," Transport Canada's report to the panel says.

The federal Conservative government has endorsed the idea of shipping oil sands crude to Asia to help diversify Canada's export markets.

But opponents of the $5.5-billion project say it's an environmental disaster waiting to happen. First Nations communities along the proposed pipeline route are concerned about the potential for a leak and they, along with other environmentalists, worry an accident involving a crude-filled supertanker would have devastating consequences on the pristine northern coast.

But Transport Canada played down the threat.

"The proposed shipping routes are appropriate for the oil tankers that will be used at the proposed terminal," said the department's report. "There are no charted obstructions that would pose a safety hazard to fully loaded oil tankers."

Enbridge vice-president Janet Holder welcomed the report.

"It is important for the public, particularly B.C. residents, to know that we've done our homework and that our marine plan has been thoroughly reviewed," Holder, the senior executive responsible for the Northern Gateway project, said in a statement.

"I think the TERMPOL report underlines that what we are proposing is well planned and safe—and indeed would enhance safety for all shipping on B.C.'s north coast."