My Position on the Northern Gateway Pipelines

My Position on the Enbridge Northern Gateway Pipelines

By Sam Clark

Recently we have been studying different views on the Enbridge Northern Gateway Pipelines. After reading several articles and watching two videos for and against the project I believe that it is a better idea to build the pipeline than not to build it. The Northern Gateway Pipelines are supposed to deliver diluted bitumen from Bruderheim to Kitimat and Natural Gas Condensate from Kitimat to Bruderheim. The pipelines are going to stretch 1777 km and be expected by 2015. I believe that the pipeline is a good idea because:

The St. Albert Gazette states that it will be great for their local economy and Canada’s economy. More specifically it will increase Canada’s gross domestic product by 270$ billion over a 30 year period. A video that Enbridge created regarding how they build and maintain their pipelines states that they will respond quickly and effectively to any problems. The video more specifically states that company builds their pipelines from “quality pipe” and monitors them 24/7. The video shows farmers and other landowners stating that Enbridge will deal with any problems regarding pipelines crossing land. One key argument is that Enbridge even shows the ongoing, state of the art monitoring process that in my opinion is not a lie. The process involves monitoring all of their pipelines and turning them off if there is a leak. Enbridge said they hold open houses inviting aboriginal groups and stakeholders regarding any problems that the pipeline may pose. However, the other video against the pipeline states that spills from previous leaks have caused medical issues such as seizures and migraines. I believe that the video against the pipeline did not do a great job of convincing me that the pipeline is a bad idea. News Corporations such as the Vancouver Sun, Times Colonist and the aboriginal group, Beaver Lake Creenation also failed to convince me that the pipeline is a bad idea.

Overall I believe that Enbridge will develop a safe and efficient pipeline that will be great for Canada’s economy.