Pipeline president eager to sit down with new environment minister
Northern Gateway president John Carruthers doesn't expect the appointment of Mary Polak as environment minister will change the dynamic between his company and the provincial government.
Polak replaced Terry Lake, who moved to the health portfolio as Premier Christy Clark announced her post-election cabinet last week.
"I think the roadmap B.C. put out in terms of their requirements, the five conditions, would be consistent regardless of the minister so I don't think it fundamentally changes things," Carruthers said.
Under Lake, the province said it will not consider approving permits for the northern Alberta to Kitimat project unless Northern Gateway receives a positive recommendation from the National Energy Board's Joint Review Panel; presents plans for world-class land and marine oil spills; adequately consults First Nations and ensures B.C. receives a fair share of the economic benefits.
In its written final argument, the province raised serious concerns about the spill response plans Northern Gateway has put forward to date, but didn't touch heavily on the latter two conditions.
There have been no meetings between the province and Northern Gateway officials since the government released its scathing final argument, but Carruthers said that was to be expected as Clark was in the process of selecting her new cabinet.
He still believes common ground can be found between his company's plans and the province's demands.
"I think the critical next phase with the province of B.C. is to sit down with them and go through any ideas they have that could enhance the spill response planning and we would welcome that dialogue," Carruthers said.
Clark has scheduled a meeting on Friday with Alberta Premier Alison Redford in Kelowna. The two governments have starkly differing views on the project and it's expected to be on the agenda during the hour-long discussion.
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