Evidence of meeting #6 for Economic Relationship between Canada and the United States in the 43rd Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was ontario.
A video is available from Parliament.
Business Agent, UA Local 663
Yes. Thank you.
I've done interviews with the Financial Post, Global News, CTV, CBC, both our regional one out of Windsor and our national program out of Alberta. We've done interviews with every media outlet where I could get someone to answer a phone call or an email.
Liberal
Sherry Romanado Liberal Longueuil—Charles-LeMoyne, QC
I know I only have about 45 seconds remaining. I believe this is our last meeting regarding Line 5, so are there any other points you'd like to get on the record so we can make sure we include them in our deliberations?
Mayor, City of Sarnia
I could make a point.
The former governor of Michigan approved this pipeline and negotiated the deal. The federal regulatory agency in Michigan approved this deal. What the governor is doing—and it's a big issue in the States—is interfering in the role of the federal government. I know that never happens in Canada, but it does happen in the U.S. I think that's the key point. Keep on hammering home that it's illegal and it's important that we get our relationship in general back in shape. That's the big issue for me. It's beyond Line 5; it's the Canada-U.S. relationship.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Raj Saini
Thank you, Ms. Romanado.
Mr. Savard-Tremblay, you have two and a half minutes.
Bloc
Simon-Pierre Savard-Tremblay Bloc Saint-Hyacinthe—Bagot, QC
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
My questions are for Mr. Archer.
Mr. Archer, since you've already started to answer my question to construction association representative, I'd like to ask you the same questions. You may have another perspective on the average life of a pipeline. It seems to me it's supposed to be at least 20 years.
What's the life expectancy of the pipeline we're talking about now?
Business Agent, UA Local 663
Thank you. That's a good question.
There are many pipelines in service that are of the same vintage as Line 5. A lot them will outlast you and me, especially due to, in more recent years, the increased quality control and the increased inspection programs, especially through pegging programs. They run smart pegs through the lines so they can do internal inspections over great distances in extreme detail. The technology has helped greatly. That alone can extend the life of the pipelines substantially.
Additionally, they are also constantly monitoring and testing, Enbridge in particular. I know from experience. Before I was in this office, I ran several pipeline jobs on Line 9 where we installed remote valve locations, and their inspection program is so stringent it's absolutely maddening for someone who's trying to run one of those jobs. Their red book will make you pull your hair out, it goes into such great detail.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Raj Saini
Thank you, Mr. Savard-Tremblay.
For the final two and a half minutes, we'll go to Mr. Blaikie, please.
NDP
Daniel Blaikie NDP Elmwood—Transcona, MB
Thank you very much.
Obviously, a committee like this takes a lot of resources. We've heard now, over many meetings, from many witnesses and from members of the committee itself that there seems to be a pretty strong consensus with respect to Line 5, whatever other differences of opinion we may have about the future of the oil and gas sector and how best to manage that, how to get the most value out of it for Canadians in the context of fighting climate change. However, on this issue, there does seem to be a pretty strong consensus.
The committee continues to meet. We continue to hear a lot of the same messages. How do you think we can get the most value out of this committee, given all the resources that have been allocated to it, when there actually seems to be pretty strong agreement? How do we get the most bang for our buck out of these committee proceedings?
We've also heard that, whether it is the federal government or provincial governments across the country, there seems to be a pretty united front in impressing upon the U.S. the importance of Line 5's continuing until there's an environmentally adequate replacement. How do we get value out of these proceedings in terms of action when it seems that most people are already committed to defending the ongoing operation of Line 5? Are there any ideas about that?
Mayor, City of Sarnia
I can respond to that. It's an excellent question.
I think the committee needs to start looking at some timelines, at some deadlines, and if those deadlines aren't met as they relate to the diplomatic approach or the political approach, then legal action must be activated so that we're not just waiting and waiting for the Americans to respond. I think that some deadlines would be very helpful, and then the legal action could take place if we're not successful.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Raj Saini
We give a very special thank you to Mayor Bradley, Mr. Archer and Mr. Pilat for really giving us a local perspective because I think we also needed to hear that. We've heard the national perspective and, in some cases, the international perspective, but we sincerely appreciate your taking the time today to really give us a local feel on the ground. Hopefully, we will resolve this issue.
To the rest of my colleagues, we will see each other on Thursday.
The meeting is adjourned.