An Overview of the Trans Mountain Pipeline Extension with Paul Sturt

The Trans Mountain Pipeline is in no shortage of controversy. From protests to government purchase, the Trans Mountain Pipeline was one of the primary political issues at center stage during the 2019 Canadian Federal Election.

As a Calgary resident, Paul Sturt thinks it is important for Canadians to be educated on why the pipeline extension is being built, the potential benefits it could have for the Canadian economy, and the controversy that surrounds it. He believes that no matter which side of the fence you sit on, the more you know, the better off we all are.

What is the Trans Mountain Pipeline?

The Trans Mountain pipeline is a pipeline that carries crude and refined oil from Alberta to the coast of British Columbia. As a part of the “Trans Mountain Corporation”, it is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Canada Development Investment Corporation (CDIC), which is accountable to the Parliament of Canada. Until it was purchased by the CDIC, Paul Sturt explains that the Trans Mountain pipeline was owned by Kinder Morgan. Kinder Morgan’s biggest concern around the pipeline was its overall risk, which is why they sold it to the CDIC in 2018. What most people don’t know is that the pipeline has actually been in use since 1953, and it is the extension to the Westridge Marine Terminal in Vancouver that has been hotly contested by First Nations and environmentalists. As a high traffic area, there are multiple voices fighting to be heard.

The Debate

Roughly 250 commercial vessels a month traverse the waters of Vancouver, British Columbia. Unsurprisingly, the Port of Vancouver is the most active in Canada, as it is ice free and has extremely deep waters. Paul Sturt explains that Vancouver is home to terminals for all manner of cargo heading out into the Pacific, including chemicals, containers, bulk goods and crude oil. The Trans Mountain project and extended capacity would mean a seven-fold increase in the number of oil tankers coming and going. It would increase the full capacity of the system from 300,000 barrels a day to 890,000. However, it is important to note that this increase in capacity does not come without some risks.

Tankers have to travel 80 nautical miles in and out of narrow, busy waterways, and for large vessels, an escort is mandatory. The Trans Mountain Pipeline has reported roughly 82 spills to Canada’ National Energy Board since 1961. While a majority have occurred at contained zones such as pumping stations, there have been some significant spill events: Abbotsford (2005), Burnaby (2007), Burnaby (2009), and Sumas (2012). That is where the controversy comes in. As a result of spills and environmental disruption, the expansion project has faced criticism from environmentalists and First Nations groups.

Those who oppose the pipeline also cite the environmental impact and risks, including a reduction in the number of wildlife off the coast of Vancouver due to noise and pollution from marine vehicles.

Benefits of the Project

Despite the potential risks and environmental impact of the project, the expansion of the Trans Mountain pipeline has enormous benefits, insists Paul Sturt. First of all, the expansion project will create a range of new jobs, both short and long term, for pipeline workers, suppliers, and contractors. In addition, by creating new jobs, there will be more training opportunities available for Canadians. In turn, this will ultimately create a stronger workforce for the Canadian economy overall.

Beyond that, the Trans Mountain Pipeline expansion project will have a large positive impact on the Canadian economy. Over 20 years, estimates suggest that that the project will generate $73 billion in increased revenues for producers and will also result in an increase of $46 billion in government revenues. This includes approximately $5.7 billion for British Columbia, $19.4 billion for Alberta, and $21.6 billion for the rest of Canada. In addition, the project is expected to ensure Canada is known as a stable, global supplier of oil both now and in the future.

Experts have even noted that the project will benefit Canadian farmers by allowing them to move more products. At this time, oil is also carried by train. By expanding the pipeline, this would no longer be necessary, enabling the transport of more grain.

Finally, it should also be noted that transporting crude oil by pipeline rather than by rail or truck produces up to 77% less greenhouse gasses. Thus, transporting through pipeline actually has the potential to be more beneficial to the environment, despite protests from environmentalists.

Paul Sturt’s Final Thoughts

Paul Sturt explains that like most issues, the Trans Mountain pipeline extension isn’t black and white. There are multiple viewpoints and perspectives, and Paul hopes that people will educate themselves on this divisive issue to stand up for what is best for all Canadians.

This article does not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors or management of EconoTimes