Natural Resources Minister Joe Oliver says the Canadian government welcomes the support from top business leaders who have written to U.S. President Barack Obama, urging him to approve the Keystone XL oil pipeline. The pipeline would transport oil from the American state of Alaska through Canada and into the American state of Texas.
“We are pleased to see U.S. business leaders stand up for Keystone XL, an important project that will create jobs and contribute to energy security on both sides of the border,” Oliver told Canada’s public broadcaster CBC in a written statement on Friday (October 11).
The letter was signed by 168 business leaders in three organizations, the US Chamber of Commerce, National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), and Business Roundtable.
Dated October 9, the letter begins:
“We write to express our strong support for the approval of the Keystone XL pipeline. Though we represent a diverse group of industries, we share a common belief in the importance of this project to the broader American economy.
We are at an inflection point in our economic recovery. Whether economic growth will remain modest or pick up speed will depend on maintaining investor confidence and strengthening America’s competitiveness. The decision on Keystone XL will affect both.”
Meanwhile on Friday (October 11), in Washington, D.C. Canadian environmentalist David Suzuki was one of a number of Canadians urging the United States to reject the oil pipeline.
Canadians aren’t getting the scientific-based evidence they need to make big decisions, Suzuki said. “This is, I think, a critical crisis for Canada.”
“[The Canadian] government has systematically been suppressing the ability of our scientists to speak up,” Suzuki said. “Government scientists, paid by our tax dollars, are not allowed to speak to the press without first being vetted through the Prime Minister’s Office.”
More information:
CBC News – Joe Oliver welcomes Keystone XL support by business leaders – here
Oil and Gas Journal – Business leaders urge Obama to approve Keystone XL permit – here
CBC News – David Suzuki tells U.S. not to trust Harper’s Keystone XL promises – here
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