My Insight Towards The Trans Mountain Dispute Between Alberta And British Columbia

Plans for the expansion of Trans Mountain should continue immediately. It is not a matter of reaching a compromise with the First Nations people, but taking into consideration all the other Canadians as well who are the majority. Continuing to engage in negotiations and delaying the project will only cause more problems for Canadians and the economy. There are a number of a reasons why Trans Mountain should be granted approval to expand its operation. There are economic benefits that come with it, the project will create ten of thousands of jobs, it positively impacts the community around it, and even supports the Indigenous communities. The Trans Mountain pipeline will significantly increase the amount of domestic oil Canada produces and transports. This allows Canada to enter the global market for oil and oil products and thus increasing the value of Canadian oil. A report done by the Conference Board of Canada has estimated that in the first 20 years of construction and expanded operations will net a total revenue of $46. 7 billion. UBC economics professor Kevin Milligan states that the extra provincial and federal taxes derived from the surge of revenue can be put back into public services such as health care and education.

According to the Conference Board of Canada approximately 15000 construction jobs will be created each year as well as 37,000 non-construction jobs. British Columbia will gain a total of 189000 employment years (how many years people will be employed added together) and Alberta will receive 441000 employment years including 15,000 during Project development and 13,000 during Project operations. This means a great deal for Aboriginal peoples as well, Trans Mountain has formed strong relationships with indigenous communities who are interested in or effected by the project. Mutual benefit agreements have been introduced as a way ease the Aboriginal peoples minds when it comes to concerns over the expansion. Terms of the agreement include pipeline construction education, jobs training, skills enhancement, and improved community services and infrastructure. These agreements would be offered to Indigenous groups that are on land used by Trans Mountain or impacted by its construction. Trans Mountain has its own benefits program that promises to invest in communities that may be affected by construction along the pipeline route. They have identified the most important areas of investment that will have the most beneficial impact on Indigenous communities through continued contact with the Indigenous groups. These investments include community programs and infrastructure improvements, environmental stewardship, as well as education and training. Trans Mountain is also responsible for paying an annual property tax during the construction of the pipeline all the way until it is decommissioned and dismantled. Which will see communities gain more and improved public resources.

For example the enhancement of trails and parks, infrastructure improvements and support for local educational and training programs. The takeaway from this letter is that there is no reason to believe Trans Mountain will have a negative effect on the Aboriginals, in fact they could possibly benefit from this project. Along with economic growth, jobs created and social improvements to local communities there is almost no downside to allowing the expansion to proceed. Alberta’s government would also agree to take part in the national climate change plan which would significantly help the environment. The Federal government and the Alberta provincial government are very pursuant on making this project happen, even offering financial contributions of their own. It is in my opinion as a University of Waterloo international development student to approve construction on the Trans Mountain expansion because it will lead Canada to become a more sustainable country both economically and environmentally.