OTTAWA - Conservatives are defending their government's approval of the contested Northern Gateway pipeline as being based on science and evidence — while noting at the same time that the project may never be built.
Government MPs and ministers were conspicuously absent Tuesday when the approval was announced via a colourless news release — evidence, NDP and Liberal critics crowed, that they feared the coming backlash.
But a few emerged during Wednesday's weekly caucus meeting to point out that the approval is contingent on the Enbridge-led consortium meeting the 209 conditions spelled out by the National Energy Board.
"British Columbians want jobs, they want growth, they want to show that we're protecting our environment and protecting our fisheries," said B.C. Conservative MP John Weston.
"Those are the things British Columbians are concerned about and the decision upholds those 209 conditions. It's a very tough job to complete any pipeline under those conditions."
Chris McCluskey, a spokesman for Natural Resources Minister Greg Rickford, noted on Twitter that the approval was conditional, calling the government's response a "maybe."
Other MPs said they don't fear being punished during the next federal election, noting that not everyone in B.C. is opposed to the pipeline.
"Some are, some aren't," said MP Mark Warawa.
"B.C. is a natural, resource-rich province, and that's how we pay for education, health care — all of our social services are paid for by our natural resources."