Enbridge economist denies pipeline impact on manufacturing
There's no proof the game-changing economic boom that would accompany the proposed Northern Gateway pipeline would hammer Central Canada's manufacturing sector, an economist told a federal panel Wednesday.
"It is not credible that one could argue this would cause Dutch disease," Robert Mansell told the three-member joint advisory panel reviewing the controversial project.
"Would it - as has been alleged - cause the rate of inflation to go up and then force the monetary authorities to tighten the money supply and thereby shrink the economy? The answer is no.
"Monetary policy is based on what's called the Core Inflation Rate, which excludes the price of food and energy."
Mansell, answering questions on behalf of the pipeline builder, Calgary-based Enbridge, pointed to his updated report on the economic impacts of the proposed $6-billion plan to ship oilsands crude to a port on the B.C. coast and on to Asia by supertanker.
The report notes access to the exploding markets in Asia would boost Canada's GDP by $312 billion over 25 years - about $9 billion a year - and bring in $98 billion in government revenue.
Given that the resource industry is one of the key drivers of Canada's economy, the profit boost from diversified markets would bring more wealth and jobs across Canada, said the report.
"The net wealth associated with just the oilsands component of the industry is estimated at almost $1.5 trillion, equivalent to about $44,000 for each Canadian or roughly 18 per cent of Canada's entire tangible wealth."
A profit spike in the keystone industry brings concerns from critics, notably federal NDP leader Tom Mulcair, that it will swamp other producers, such as manufacturers in Central Canada.
Dutch disease is named for a down-turn in the Netherlands' economy in the 1970s when peaking natural gas prices were blamed for driving up inflation and driving down exports of manufactured goods.
Mulcair's concerns are echoed by studies from the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development and the International Monetary Fund.
But Mansell told the panel Dutch disease studies are all over the map, with some finding it brings calamitous change while others conclude it doesn't harm the economy at all.
He said if the key question is whether Dutch disease causes permanent harm to the economy, then the numbers don't add up. Under Dutch disease, he said in the report, the Canadian dollar should now be falling against the U.S. green-back given oil prices dropped dramatically four years ago and have not recovered. Instead, he notes, the dollar has gone up during that period from 93 cents to par.
Six experts and Northern Gateway president John Carruthers spent a second day Wednesday answering questions from third parties seeking more information on the pipeline.
The joint review panel is hearing evidence and must file a report to the federal government in 16 months on whether the line is needed, whether the oil supply and the buyers are truly out there, and whether the pipe can be built and maintained in an environ-mentally sustainable manner.
Enbridge wants to build a 1,170-kilo-metre dual line from Bruderheim near Edmonton to a marine terminal in Kitimat, B.C. It would ship 585,000 barrels of crude a day over 1,000 streams, First Nations areas and delicate ecosystems in the B.C. Interior. The project has sharply divided debate in B.C. Critics say given the catastrophic harm that could result from a pipeline or tanker spill, the cost is not worth it at any price. In his report, Mansell said the line is critical to course correct an industry that is getting caught flat-footed in a nimble and mercurial global market.
Under Dutch disease, he said in the report, the Canadian dollar should now be falling against the U.S. green-back given oil prices dropped dramatically four years ago and have not recovered. Instead, he notes, the dollar has gone up during that period from 93 cents to par.
Six experts and Northern Gateway president John Carruthers spent a second day Wednesday answering questions from third parties seeking more information on the pipeline.
The joint review panel is hearing evidence and must file a report to the federal government in 16 months on whether the line is needed, whether the oil supply and the buyers are truly out there, and whether the pipe can be built and maintained in an environ-mentally sustainable manner.
Enbridge wants to build a 1,170-kilo-metre dual line from Bruderheim near Edmonton to a marine terminal in Kitimat, B.C.
It would ship 585,000 barrels of crude a day over 1,000 streams, First Nations areas and delicate ecosystems in the B.C. Interior.
The project has sharply divided debate in B.C. Critics say given the catastrophic harm that could result from a pipeline or tanker spill, the cost is not worth it at any price.
In his report, Mansell said the line is critical to course correct an industry that is getting caught flat-footed in a nimble and mercurial global market.