By Sheldon Spackman and Troy Gillard

cautious optimism

Red Deer region stands to benefit from TMX approval

Jun 18, 2019 | 10:10 PM

Red Deer mayor Tara Veer says the federal government’s decision to approve the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion is long-awaited good news for the community.

“City council is unanimous in our support for the expansion of energy infrastructure,” she said Tuesday. “We all know that securing new and international markets for our energy products is important for our local economy.”

Veer, for the time being, is cautiously optimistic over the benefits to come from Tuesday’s decision.

“It certainly doesn’t mean that we will see economic recovery in the short term, but hopefully we see energy to market by 2023,” she suggested. “We expect there will be legal challenges, legal delays and perhaps other sorts of delays, but this is welcome news and a step in the right direction.”

Veer says the advocacy done by The City of Red Deer in support of the oil and gas industry won’t end now that the Trans Mountain expansion has finally been approved, saying, “We will continue to advocate not only on behalf of Red Deerians and central Albertans, but certainly all of Alberta in terms of our contribution to confederation.”

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Reg Warkentin with the Red Deer and District Chamber of Commerce says it was imperative of federal government to approve the project since they’re the one who currently own it.

“It’s absolutely essential that they allow construction to start, and we think the expediency of the process going forward is of absolute paramount importance because our companies here are suffering,” he said.

“There’s incredible competition from our biggest trading partner (U.S.) who’s also our biggest competitor. So until we’re on a level playing field with them it’s going to be a struggle.”

What Warkentin isn’t sold on, however, is the government’s requirement that every dollar in federal revenue coming from the project be reinvested in clean energy and green technology.

“We’re always worried about programs where governments might be picking winners and losers. So we’re not too sure about their choice to do that.”