Nenshi says Montreal mayor 'wrong' to oppose Energy East

Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi didn't waver when asked what he thought ofhis Montreal counterpart's claims that TransCanadaCorp.'s proposedEnergy East pipeline is too risky to pursue.

"He's wrong, it'sas simple as that," Nenshi said Thursday afternoon, hours afterDenis Coderreannounced his city officially opposed Energy Eastalongside other Montreal-area mayors.

Speaking toCBC'sRosieBarton on Power & Politics, Nenshiexplained the project wouldsimply bean upgrade to an already existing pipeline that goes to Montreal.

The Calgary-based company TransCanada'sprojectwould carry 1.1 million barrels a day ofoilsandscrude through Quebecto anexport terminal in Saint John, N.B.The project would include the existing TransCanada pipeline as far east as Montreal plus a new pipeline through Quebec.

"If you'rereally worried about transporting bitumen, it's easier to control a spill like that. It's much easier to manage a pipeline spill than to manage a problem with oilby rail. He knowsall of that, I'm sure he knows all of that."

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'Clearly this is the right thing not just for Canada, but Igot tosay, MayorCoderre, it's the right thing for Montreal.'

Nenshi wasn't alone in his criticisms.

Political and business leaders from Alberta and across the west voiced strong reaction toCoderre's opposition of the pipeline project.

Among them was WildroseParty Leader Brian Jean, who slammedtheSt. Lawrence sewage dump and said Coderre's opposition was "hypocritical."

Rachel Notley's officealso announced after Coderre's comments that the Alberta premierwas flying toToronto to meet with Ontario Premier Kathleen WynneFriday morning to discuss issues of common interest including energy a meeting thatwasnot part of Notley'sweekly itinerary.

And Alberta's finance minister, Joe Ceci, spoke out Thursday afternoon to say new pipelines that would give oil companiesaccess to markets in Eastern Canada arecritical if Alberta hopes toput people back to work and strengthenits faltering economy.

Nenshiechoed those comments, sayingthe projectwould not only increasemarket access to Alberta oil abroad, butwould provide moreCanadian customers with a localenergy supply.

"Clearly this is the right thing not just for Canada, but I got tosay, MayorCoderre, it's the right thing for Montreal."

He didagreed with Coderre that environmental concernsshould be carefully considered.

"Of course, you want to push for the highest environmental standards, to make sure there are disaster plans in place."

In December,TransCanada Corp. filed an amended application and cost estimate for theEnergy East pipeline project. It saidthe filing with the National Energy Board makes nearly 700 changes to the route in response to concerns about environmentally sensitive areas.

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