THE BC Chamber welcomed the Joint Review Panel’s approval of the Northern Gateway pipeline project on Thursday.
“This is great news for B.C.: It means that this pivotal, job-creating project has been examined from every angle and found sound,” said John Winter, President and CEO of the BC Chamber of Commerce. “With this decision, British Columbians can confidently back this project, knowing that it meets our top-tier environmental and community standards.”
Winter said the project has cleared a major hurdle, which sends a strong, positive message to the investment community in B.C. and beyond.
“The investment community has been closely watching the Northern Gateway project as an indicator of B.C.’s openness to resource development and other investments,” he said. “This decision sends the message that, while our standards are rigorous, B.C. is open for business.”
Thursday’s decision follows a recent BC Chamber poll that found that 57 per cent of British Columbians would support the Northern Gateway project if it received a positive recommendation from the Joint Review Panel. Significantly, the poll found that B.C. support for the project swells to 63 per cent if the project can meet the B.C. government’s five conditions for all new oil projects.
