The Vancouver Sun reports in its Saturday edition that pipeline projects already proposed in Canada will continue to be reviewed under their current approval regime, while Ottawa evaluates its environmental assessment process. A Bloomberg dispatch to The Sun quotes the new Environment and Climate Change Minister, Catherine McKenna, as saying that regaining the public trust will nonetheless be a key consideration in "any project that goes forward." Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government, which took power Nov. 4, has not revealed how it will rewrite policy on energy project reviews.
Enbridge and TransCanada have struggled to win support for new projects in Canada and the United States, as opponents highlight leaks and the risks of climate change associated with fossil fuel consumption. At the same time, producers from Suncor to Shell have stressed the need for new pipelines as oil-sands output continues to rise even with the collapse of crude prices.
Mr. Trudeau heads to the Paris climate summit this weekend and has been saying, since taking power, his government will do more to reduce emissions than its predecessors.
McKenna offered no timeline on how quickly the new review process will be developed.
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