Line 3 Replacement Project Moving Forward, Growing the Canadian Economy While Protecting the Environment

MORDEN, MB, Aug. 16, 2018 /CNW/ - Canada is a place where the environment and the economy go hand in hand. Providing a stable, effective regulatory regime to approve and oversee pipeline operations is integral to safeguarding the environment, while supporting projects in the national interest that create good jobs, strengthen and grow the middle class and help get Canada's resources to world markets will deliver economic benefits for all Canadians.

Canada's Minister of Natural Resources, the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, was in Morden, Manitoba, today for a groundbreaking ceremony to mark the beginning of construction of the Line 3 Replacement Project in Manitoba. The project is the replacement of aging infrastructure ? Enbridge's Line 3 pipeline between Hardisty, Alberta, and Gretna, Manitoba ? and creates economic benefits for Canadians living in the communities by the pipeline while at the same time strengthening the energy relationship between Canada and the United States.  

Newer, thicker and safer pipe is replacing the nearly 50-year-old pipeline, improving the safety and integrity of our energy network and ensuring we get our resources to market while protecting the environment.

This event marks an important milestone in the ongoing construction of the project. It involves the local community, creates partnerships and opportunity and represents jobs and new skills training for Indigenous peoples.

The project is also moving forward because of the Government of Canada's investment in the co-developed Line 3 Indigenous Advisory and Monitoring Committee. Indigenous peoples, alongside federal officials and the National Energy Board, will monitor construction and life-cycle activities to ensure this project moves forward in the right way: the safest and most sustainable way possible. This includes ongoing monitoring via a 24-hour computerized monitoring system and routine inspections, once operational.

This project generates significant economic benefits, including the creation of thousands of jobs on both sides of the Canada?U.S. border. The Government of Canada's approach to resource development is one that will grow our economy, create middle-class jobs and protect the environment. These priorities go hand in hand.

Quotes

"Canada is a place where the environment and the economy go hand in hand and where projects that are in the national interest get built. The Line 3 Replacement Project creates economic benefits for Canadians and Americans while at the same time strengthening the energy network between Canada and the U.S."

Amarjeet Sohi
Minister of Natural Resources

"Enbridge's Line 3 Replacement Program generates jobs, financial spinoffs and business opportunities for local communities along the construction right of way in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, Minnesota, Wisconsin and North Dakota. We're particularly proud to report that the project has already created more than $120 million in Indigenous economic opportunities and we expect that to more than double upon completion of construction."

Leo Golden
Vice President Line 3 Project Execution, Enbridge

Quick Facts

• The Government of Canada approved the Line 3 Replacement Project in November 2016, subject to 37 conditions and informed by the National Energy Board's recommendation report, an assessment of upstream greenhouse gas emissions, public views and enhanced consultations undertaken with potentially impacted First Nations and Métis communities.
• The Line 3 project strengthens Canada's capacity to get our products to the United States, serving as a vital link to Minnesota, Wisconsin and other North American refinery markets.
• As we make the transition to a low-carbon economy, significant demand for refined petroleum products, including gasoline for vehicles and jet fuel for commercial airlines, is expected to remain in North America.
• The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission approved an application by Enbridge for a certificate of need and a route for the Line 3 Replacement Project on June 29, 2018. This approval was granted after over three years of review, consultations with communities and formal hearings.

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SOURCE Natural Resources Canada