The Vancouver Sun reports in its Saturday edition that there appears to be a consensus that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau struck a good balance in his difficult decision this week to approve the $6.8-billion Trans Mountain pipeline expansion while killing the Northern Gateway project. A Sun editorial says that as much as many people wish we lived in a world without fossil fuels, no amount of magical thinking will immediately create enough "clean" energy to replace the world's dependence on oil and gas. Mr. Trudeau clearly cares deeply about the environment. Premier Christy Clark continues to be firm about her five conditions for the pipeline, including a strong environmental-review process; world-leading marine oil-spill response; world-leading practices for spills on land; respect for native rights; and that British Columbia receive a fair share of the cash generated by the project. She has signalled she will support the pipeline once details of the economic benefits to B.C. and the environment-protection plan are clear. Those who oppose pipelines have a democratic right to peaceful protest, but they should show respect to Mr. Trudeau, our democracy and other Canadians by not breaking the law to push their views.
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