Seems to me the simple solution would be for KM, Alberta and the Feds to post a cleanup bond. If it’s safe as claimed, no worries it will never be needed. If not, then BC isn’t forced to carry the expense of cleanup or beg for money, the cleanup bond can be accessed.
I have little faith in the Feds, Alberta or KM if a spill happens. KM Canada will declare bankruptcy, Alberta will say it’s a Federal problem and the Feds will do as little as possible. Look at the vaunted Ocean Protection plan! 1.5 billion sounds good, but when it’s realized that 1.5 billion is for the Atlantic,Pacific and Arctic oceans and it’s over 5 years (assuming the Liberals are still in power) it seems pretty lame.
While I’m happy the Ocean Protection fund is going to fund the opening of a SAR base in Newfoundland, I see little concrete, long term funding being done here. Welding towing bits on Coast Guard vessels out here, leasing a couple of tugs is a short term minimal solution if it actually happens, but will it? I’d like to see some dedicated crews and tugs stationed on the coast long term and some dedicated cleanup vessels.
I accept we need the pipeline and have to take some risk. I also believe we need to mitigate that risk a heck of a lot better than Trudeau’s current plan(?)does.
