The federal government approved the controversial Northern Gateway Project Tuesday creating a stir amongst critics. The decision is subject to 209 conditions recommended by the National Energy Board and further talks with aboriginal communities.
Designed to carry crude from Alberta to the BC coast, the Northern Gateway pipeline is a proposed 1,200 kilometre twin pipeline coming at a cost of $7.9 billion and is proposed by Enbridge.
The project however has both its opponents and supporters voicing their debates across the province. In support of the project many say that the project would advance the economy and create more jobs. A reported estimated addition worth of $300 billion to Canada's GDP is projected over the next 30 years.
Meanwhile, opponents that weigh heavy over the supporters say that the pipeline is a threat to the sensitive areas of BC's coastline and the Great Bear Rainforest.
Enbridge says the project could be up and running by late 2018. It could get pushed back depending on negotiations with aboriginal groups and the BC government, said Enbridge Inc. Chief Executive Al Monaco.
BC Premier Christy Clark has stated that the pipeline has not met five specific conditions that the province had initially set before it would grant its approval. These conditions include consultations with First Nations, the province getting a fair share of the benefits coming from the pipeline, and environmental protections.