Thank you very much, Mr. Chair, and thank you so much to the witnesses for being here today.
Our previous witness quantified Line 5 as “the most scrutinized piece of pipe in North America”. I want to get a better understanding of the urgency and the motivation behind the Michigan governor. Why now?
When I look at a quote she gave to Great Lakes Now in June 2019, she said that protracted litigation without the tunnel or another alternative would be the “worst case scenario”. I'm looking at the timeline. She said this in June 2019. She was elected in November 2018 and took office in January 2019. A third agreement between Enbridge and Michigan came to be in December.
I'm looking at this timeline. We see that there was a temporary restraining order in June 2020. It was then lifted to restart Line 5 in July and September. Then, on November 7, the media calls the election for President Biden and, six days later, the governor issues the order on its easement.
I'm trying to get an understanding of why now, when this tunnel is under construction and is due to be opened in 2024. Why now? Given the consequences on both sides of the border, whether it be access to crude or whether it be jobs, why now? It's helpful for us to understand this so that we can make sure we are conveying our position as well.