Chamber News

On May 23, the Canadian Chamber will be holding a day in support of the Trans Mountain Pipeline Expansion project on Parliament Hill. The day will consist of meetings with the three major federal political parties and a media event at the National Press Theatre.

Why are we doing this?

This $7.4 Billion project will allow Canada to get one of its most valuable natural resources to international markets, and allow our companies to get a fair price for their product. The Trans Mountain Expansion will create thousands of jobs and generate millions of dollars in economic activity across the country.

Despite receiving the necessary regulatory approvals after undergoing a rigorous, scientifically sound, transparent, multi-year review process, the project is being blocked by the B.C. government. As a result, Kinder Morgan has halted all non-essential spending on the project and has given a deadline of May 31 for federal and provincial governments to provide assurances that the project can move forward without further delay. If the project does not proceed it will be economically disastrous for Canada, and will send a terrible signal to investors at home and abroad.

Our Day of Support will show federal politicians that they have the support of thousands of Canadians, from communities across the country, to do what they need to ensure this project is built.

Our activities on May 23 will include provincial and territorial chamber presidents, association heads, corporate leaders, union representatives and Indigenous leaders who will help us deliver an important message to federal politicians: the Trans Mountain project is in the national interest and it has the support of Canadians from coast to coast to coast. Now is the time to take concrete action to get it built.

This week, the House of Commons is not sitting and many MPs will be back in their ridings. This is an opportunity for you to encourage your MP(s) to show their support for the Trans Mountain project and for the government’s efforts to get it built.

You may think, I’ve heard about this … this is just a B.C.-Alberta fight. Wrong.

While we are mobilizing in support of Kinder Morgan’s Trans Mountain Pipeline Expansion project, this fight has broader implications. If this project does not proceed, we will be telling investors across the country and around the world that even if you follow the rules and get your project approved, it may not proceed. That will discourage investment, hurt our economy and kill jobs.

A Conference Board of Canada report has determined the combined government revenue impact for construction and the first 20 years of expanded operations is $46.7 billion, including federal and provincial taxes that can be used for public services such as health care and education.

Here’s how the monies from this project will shake out:

• British Columbia receives $5.7 billion
• Alberta receives $19.4 billion
• The rest of Canada shares $21.6 billion

So… this is not just about Alberta and B.C. but rather it’s a Canadian issue.

Can I come to Ottawa too?

Should your budget and time allow you the ability to be in Ottawa next Wednesday and join our team as we push for this project, we would love your support. However we should advise you that space in our meetings with government is limited. You can show your support in other ways; this is why we are encouraging you to meet your MP(s) this week. Encourage them to support this project; this is an important issue for communities across Canada.

If you are unsure what facts and figures you can use in your meetings, we’re sharing some data so that you can familiarize yourself with this project and the benefits that it brings to all Canadians.