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Northern Gateway Pipeline
The Canadian Federal Government has recently approved the commencement of Enbridge Northern Gateway Pipelines project as long as 209 conditions are met. These conditions were established and set out by the province of British Columbia, certain First Nations groups and the Joint Review Panel. The pipeline is calculated to run from Alberta to Kitimat, British Columbia in order to be able to export crude oil to China. Many arguments have arisen in response to the approval of this project from environmentalists and First Nations groups across Canada. The fact that this pipeline will be running through some of Canada’s finest rainforests, like the Great Bear Rainforest, and land which legally belongs to certain First Nation’s groups is causing much controversy in the matter.

Economic Gain
One issue that is stirring up talks against the Northern Gateway Pipeline project is that the government of Canada is overlooking environmental issues in order to achieve economic gain. Wright Mansell Research Ltd. conducted an analysis which shows that the construction of this pipeline would allow for Canada’s growth and success in prospect as well as provide Canada with greater fluidity within the petroleum industry, which promises for great economic gain. Another aspect of economic benefit which the pipeline would contribute to is job creation within British Columbia. It has been calculated that the production of this pipeline would create approximately 3000 temporary job positions and 560 permanent job positions, having said that, the government of British Colombia would make an estimated $1.3 billion in revenue taxes over 30 years. Many Aboriginal groups are concerned that Canada, by offering financial compensation to the First Nation communities who will be directly affected by the building of the pipeline, is suggesting that Aboriginals should sell their territory in exchange for monetary gain.

Environmental Damage
As much as this pipeline will be a means of economic advances for Canada it will also cause an environmental strain on the country. The government of Canada has been making alterations to some environmental laws in order to meet the list of conditions to be met. Recently, Ottawa has elevated the status of humpback whales from “threatened” to “species of special concern”. This action eliminates some legal protection for humpback habitat which will allow for one more check mark on the list of conditions for the approval of the pipeline, even though there are active lawsuits by B.C environmental groups begging Ottawa to follow its own Species at Risk Act. The Liberal government is against the movement of the Northern Gateway Pipeline, it has put much emphasis on the issue of environment since British Colombia’s economy relies on both the natural resources and the natural beauty of the province. The Liberals are disputing the passing of tankers through the waters of Great Bear Rainforest which will carry 500,000 barrels of oil each day. Canadians will simply have to wait and see what will happen once the Northern Gateway Pipeline is built and how it truly will affect our economy and environment.