George Heyman, Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy, has issued the following statement, in response to the federal government’s direction to the National Energy Board to reconsider its recommendations for the Trans Mountain Pipeline Expansion project: 

“Since the Federal Court of Appeal’s ruling, our government has been reviewing the decision to determine the full implications. The federal government’s announcement provides further context for our ongoing study of the judgment.

“From the beginning, our government has raised concerns about the failure of the federal process to properly consider the risks to B.C. from increased tanker traffic. The court’s decision and the federal government’s announcement validate those concerns. 

“We are looking forward to seeing the details, but any further review process must comprehensively address the risks that our government, and many British Columbians, have been raising. 

“The court also found that the federal government failed to adequately consult First Nations. Meaningful consultation is critical to any future actions.

“A diluted bitumen spill would present a threat to our coast and the tens of thousands of jobs that rely on the coast. We will continue to defend B.C.’s interests.”