Keystone XL Pipeline a flop

» How Obama’s decision will influence Canada and the world

Mercedes Deutscher News Editor & news@theotherpress.ca

E nvironmentalists were relieved when Barrack Obama announced November 6, after seven years of controversy, that the US Government will be rejecting the continuation of the Keystone XL pipeline.

Keystone XL, a pipeline project by TransCanada, would have transported crude oil from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico. The pipeline would have started in Alberta and spanned southwards through the US, making its way through the Midwestern states, before terminating in Texas.

Overall, Obama stated ina White House press release that the pipeline would not serve the best interest of the US. More specifically, Obama explained that the pipeline would not serve a great benefit to the US economy, help lower the prices of fuel to American residents, or increase oil security.

Prior to Obama’s announcement, he discussed

: his decision with Prime : Minister Justin Trudeau.

“..While he expressed

: his disappointment, given

: Canada’s position on this issue,

: we both agreed that our close

: friendship on a whole range

: of issues, including energy

: and climate change, should

: provide the basis for even closer

: coordination between our

: countries going forward,” Obama

: explained in his press release.

Trudeau later responded,

: via CBC: “We know that

: Canadians want a government

: that they can trust to protect

: the environment and grow the

: economy. The Government

: of Canada will work hand-in-

: hand with provinces, territories : and like-minded countries to

: combat climate change, adapt

: to its impacts, and create the

: clean jobs of tomorrow.’

The NDP applauded

: Obama’s decision, with House

: Leader Peter Julian explaining to : CBC that the project would have : created jobs across the border

: that could otherwise be allocated : : to Canadians. Greenpeace

: Canada also expressed approval : of the pipeline rejection.

With the rejection of

Keystone XL, and the Paris

Image via www.politifact.com

: Climate Conference weeks away,

: many hope that the world leaders : will further discuss changing over : to cleaner, renewable energy.

However, many prominent

: political figures have criticized : Obama’s decision, particularly : the Conservative Party.

“We've lost sight of the facts,

: and when you get into symbolism : and you get into politics, you lose : sight of what really is important

: both for the environment and

: for the economy,” said Joe Oliver,

: former Finance Minister, to CBC.

Several premiers expressed

: disappointment and reluctance

: with the decision. Saskatchewan : Premier Brad Wall accused

: Obama, via CBC, of only taking

: Interest in the US domestic

: politics surrounding the

: situation and not properly

: assessing the economic factors

: involved with the pipeline.

Calgary Mayor Naheed

: Nanshi accepted the decision

: reluctantly, telling CBC: “I

: will continue to partner with

: industry and other orders of

: government to advocate for

: other alternatives, of which there : remain many viable options.”

Traffic 411: Georgia and Dunsmulr viaducts

» Plans for future of Vancouver viaducts tentatively confirmed with $200-million price tag

Bw aie.

Aaron Guillen Staff Reoorter

hose having driven in

Downtown Vancouver before have probably been over the viaducts more than once. On odd days, these elevated roadways are easy to cross within a minute, but on most days, they’re clogged bumper-to-bumper, especially during rush hour.

Back in 2013, the City of Vancouver unanimously voted to remove the viaducts, but the overwhelming reaction from the public, who were worried about increased traffic congestion, kept this decision in the slow lane for the following two years.

Finally, the Vancouver council has voted 5-4 in favour of tearing down the aged viaducts, thus transforming a former disconnected False Creek area into an integrated and welcoming hub for visitors across the world.

“Staff will start detailed planning and land negotiations and will report back to Council in early 2017 on a revised public benefits strategy as well as an update on negotiations. Following the completion of detailed planning and design work, and the necessary agreements to advance removal of the viaducts, construction of the new street network could

: start in late 2017, and be complete : by 2020,” states the City of : Vancouver’s website.

Back in the 1960s, its

: conceivable use as a freeway

: was left incomplete and over

: the years, these transportation

: arteries have become a liability.

: The viaducts are expensive to

: maintain, potentially unstable

: should an earthquake occur, and : degrading the value of the False : Creek area. What city council

: plans to do is revamp the entire

: property.

Simply put, the proposal

: isaramp along Georgia Street

: and Pacific Boulevard. The

: industrialization of this new

: street network will supposedly

: support all vehicle traffic flow

: now and in the future. The

: integration of busy streets and

: a flourishing community will

: make it easier for transit drivers, : cyclists, and pedestrians to

: commute in such a metropolitan : area.

Creekside Park, alongside

: Science World, has plans to be : extended by multiple hectares, : thus making it the perfect area for : : families to meet and enjoy a stroll : just blocks away from a proposed : neighbourhood that would be

: built from scratch. All this and

: so much more is in the distant

: future, but not everyone is on

: board for this unforeseen detour.

a Bold New Concept: PARK OPPO

Fern Jefferies, co-chair

of the False Creek Residents

Association, spoke with CBC to

: discuss what the plan is lacking.

: She questions if there will be

: enough social infrastructure

: to support a booming

: neighbourhood. Additionally, she : asks the health impacts to the

: school and park adjacent to the

= eee

: proposed eight lanes of traffic.

: Lastly, she wonders where they

: will come up with $200-million

: to fund this huge project.

: Though Jefferies has voiced these : concerns, she believes there’s

: nothing more that can be done to : sway the city’s decision because

: it’s already “a done deal.”

Though not everyone might

Bo.

RTUNITIES

-_—

Image via blurealty.com

agree with the changes that will

: take place over the next five years : to the outer downtown core, all

: Vancouverites will just have to

: wait and see what's in store.

Mayor Gregor Robertson

: promises, as reported by the

: Globe and Mail, that it’s a

: “once-in-a-generation building : opportunity.”