By Matt Pouncy

Local reaction to Trans Mountain annoucement

Aug 30, 2018 | 5:47 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB —Here in the city there are feelings of frustration in relation to today’s Trans Mountian pipeline announcement.

Elected officials say this will have an impact here at home and many in the community are upset about the announcement.

“Extreme disappointment, anger, I think that this is a blow to the province, western Canada, to all of Canada really, and definitely to the city of medicine hat,” said deputy mayor, Coun. Jim Turner.

Turner says the quashing of the controversial trans mountain pipeline adds to the list of pipelines that have gotten the axe in Canada.

UPDATED

Steam-powered passenger train passed through Medicine Hat on Friday

2h ago

Medicine Hat Public Library Comic Con taking place May 4

4h ago

Young minds, big ideas: Elementary students learn about urban planning with 'Box City'

Apr 25, 2024

“We had our Energy East, kiboshed, we’ve had Northern Gateway, put the stops to that,” said Turner. “This was kind of our last hope to get a pipeline and it doesn’t look very promising right now.”

The oil and gas industry is rebounding after  a recent slump that left thousands in our province out of work.

Construction of the pipeline was supposed to further economic growth by allowing the province to get a better price for our oil while creating more jobs.

UCP MLA Drew Barnes, Cypress-Medicine Hat, says the carbon tax and cap on oil sands emissions are already hurting our economy and this only adds to the burden.

“This is a sad day for Canada, but its a day Canadians need to start to work together,” said Barnes. “Lets stop changing the rules around first nations consulting, and environmental impact.  Let’s tell the world, and show the world what great producers we are of oil and gas, of agriculture and other things the world wants.”

On the street people we talked who say they are disappointed the pipeline is facing another roadblock.

“It’s a tremendous waste of taxpayers money. Do it once, do it right,” said one resident.

“That’s our bill and we’re stuck with it, I’m quite certain,” said another person.

Ottawa purchased the Trans Mountain pipeline from Kinder Morgan for $4.5 billion dollars.

Conservative MP Glen Motz, Medicine Hat-Cardston-Warner, says the courts decision to quash construction is concerning for taxpayers. 

“Now taxpayers appear at this stage to continue to be on the hook for a pipeline we have to go back to the drawing board if you will, to do consultations that the court says weren’t done,” said Motz.

Motz is frustrated with the delays and says it’s important we find a way to start getting our product on the world market, instead of just selling at a discount to the United States.

“The cleanest.  The most efficient energy production in the world bar none,” said Motz. Yet we seem to be blocked at every front to get our resources, and we’re the third largest in the world, our resources to the market.  I don’t understand it.  It makes no sense.”