According to many polls, the majority of Canadians support pipeline building in Canada – unfortunately, these things do not get built.
First, CEPA, pipeline companies, Canada Action, Canada’s Energy Citizens, Oil Respect, oil companies, and many people who work in the oil and gas industry deserve a tremendous amount of credit for winning public support. That is a huge accomplishment – especially considering the tremendous amount of money and misinformation that is hurled at them on a daily basis.
Fortunately for the oil and gas industry and its advocates, facts are on their side.
Unfortunately for Canadians, we have a bloated government body with many layers and agencies that are led by politicians who simply do not have the will power to push pipeline projects through. What is most staggering, is that when you consider several of our political parties (Liberal or NDP) have been traditionally opposed to such development, incredibly the current Alberta and federal leadership have both said that they are in favor of pipelines being built. To be fair, this is only if you take them at face value (which is hard to do with politicians).
But back to the central point: Why don’t pipelines get built? Well, it’s most likely the whiny kid theory. It is simply easier to give into a whiny child’s demands rather than dealing with the kicking and screaming and whining that comes along with the alternative. Even if the alternative is good for everyone, especially the whiny kid.
I apologize for not having a better analogy. However, pipeline opponents should be thankful I’m using such an analogy–I’m being incredibly polite, especially considering their actions of late.
At some point, one of two things are going to have to happen to finally get pipe in the ground: A Ralph Klein-esque politician will emerge who will get these things built, or our current leaders will have to work up the courage to push the projects through and do what is best for the country. Otherwise, we will continue to let the illogical complainers have their way – which is sad.