Construction of the controversial Trans Mountain pipeline expansion has been halted and its future is up in the air.
On Thursday, August 30, a federal court of appeal ruled against federal government approval by the National Energy Board as being too flawed for the Trudeau cabinet to have used to proceed with construction.
The federal government has stood fast on its position that the pipeline is in the national interest and, following the decision, finance minister Bill Morneau said the government will continue to see it through.
The decision, written by Justice Eleanor Dawson, is a victory for indigenous groups and environmentalists.
"During the last election, Trudeau promised a new review process and a commitment to working with indigenous communities in a meaningful way,” said North Island - Powell River MP Rachel Blaney. “Today, the federal court has made a decision that shows that neither promise was fulfilled. Now Canadians have to ask themselves, what will this government do with this pipeline that Canadian taxpayers have bought for $4.5 billion? The Trudeau government planned to sell the pipeline. Who will buy it now?"
In Powell River, protestors gathered weekly outside the offices of Powell River - Sunshine Coast MLA Nicholas Simons.
Simons said the court’s decision still needs to be examined for what it really means.
“I think there are a lot of questions now in people's minds,” said Simons. “The government of BC has always taken what I consider a fairly balanced approach. Our job was defending BC interests and respecting the rule of law. We've been part of this court case and clearly concerns about our environment and first nations’ consultation won the day.”
