The Energy East pipeline is dominating discussion at major conference underway in Saint John, and some of the top names in the Maritime energy industry are lining up to support the project.
Gary Doer is a former premier of Manitoba and former Canadian ambassador to the United States. He offered a personal endorsement that many in the business community were waiting to hear.
"I support the people in this room,” said Doer. “I say let’s have a can-do attitude with a big vision and get this pipeline built, and get it to the Port of Saint John"
Doer says it falls back to public safety.
“The rationale for pipelines, for me, is that I prefer to have oil in a pipeline than on rail," he said.
Similar energy conferences in Saint John tend to build support and momentum for the Energy East pipeline. But opponents are trying to get their message out, on something like a shoestring budget.
Environmentalists gathered next door to the convention centre in space provided by the regional library to discuss renewable energy.
"Canada is a bit of a laggard in this area,” said electrical engineer Chris Rouse. “We've spent ten years back in this rut of fossil fuels."
Critics say politicians from coast-to-coast are obsessed with Energy East – a project that is, at best, years down the road.
"We really need to start the energy future now,” said Mark D’Arcy. “That's clean energy and energy efficiency. Huge labour-intensive industries that the public should benefit from."
At the convention centre, political leaders continued to make their case for Energy East.
"This is a project that will create thousands of jobs for Canadians at a time that we need these jobs," said New Brunswick Premier Brian Gallant.
Guest speakers attending the energy conference on Wednesday include Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall and Irving Oil president Ian Whitcomb.
With files from CTV Atlantic’s Mike Cameron.
