One of the region’s most successful leaders returned to a familiar role and familiar surroundings Friday.
Sixteen years after leaving the premier’s office, Frank McKenna remains influential in New Brunswick, especially when it comes to energy projects like the west-east pipeline.
At a time when the provincial economy is slumping, McKenna exudes both optimism and faith in an energy project to which he devotes a lot of personal energy.
McKenna was among the first to say that Alberta and Saint John should be connected by pipeline.
The pipeline push continued Friday before an audience of labour, business, and students at an energy forum sponsored by the University of New Brunswick Saint John.
“If I was to pick someone to sell the province of New Brunswick and this west to east pipeline, Mr. McKenna is surely one of the top choices we would make,” says Kim Blyth of Boilermakers Union Loc. 73.
“He’s very concerned about the economic, social and environmental future of this province and he’s a great advocate for any opportunity,” says Saint John Deputy Mayor Shelley Rinehart.
Critics of TransCanada’s Energy East Pipeline say the project is not an opportunity, but an environmental disaster in the making. However, the former Liberal premier’s advocacy for the pipeline regularly gets applause from the other side of the fence.
“He’s well known to be placing the opportunities that exist in this province ahead of the political,” says New Brunswick Finance Minister Blaine Higgs.
While there is speculation that the pipeline will bring upgrades at the Irving Oil refinery, McKenna offered a cautious note about the potential for major pipeline spinoffs.
“There’s no guarantee that we will end up with an upgrade here, or additional facilities, but without the pipeline, there is no hope of that. So, we now are in the game.”
With files from CTV Atlantic's Mike Cameron
