Energy East Pipeline to Manitoba?
Premier Brian Pallister open to Churchill Pipeline
Manitobans such as Premier Brian Pallister have an opportunity to become great Canadian uniters.
Canadian energy exports from Saskatchewan & Alberta are desperate to find tidewater ports.
Political cultures in British Columbia and Quebec mean that future pipelines through either of those 2 provinces is a dead end discussion.
When confronted with problems, adults find solutions. Churchill Manitoba is the solution to Canada’s energy export problems in the provinces of Alberta & Saskatchewan.
The Hudson Bay’s average water depth is 330 feet. A double hauled cargo vessel or tanker ship requires 45 feet of water to safely navigate.
The Port of Churchill would require a floating mono-buoy which tankers attach onto which is connected to a swing. The mono-buoy freely moves 360° with the tide and or wind. The mono-buoy would sit in water of 45 feet to 60 feet deep. An underwater pipeline that transfers crude oil from the mono-buoy to tanker ships would be needed.
A tank farm on the shores of Churchill for potential storage capacity with a land pipeline that transfers crude oil from the storage tanks to the mono-buoy would need to be built.
Manitoba would need to step up with basic road upgrades and telecommunications infrastructure. Some search & rescue operations, and upgraded fire department infrastructure. The federal government would need to upgrade rail infrastructure at some point. All this of this would revive the economy of Northern Manitoba creating good long-term jobs and development.
Hudson Bay is currently ice free 6 to 7 months of the year. It’s new yearly saltwater ice, which means it’s not thick like in the arctic.
So who would not like this idea? Well a loud group of Saskatchewan & Alberta separatists would despise the idea. It ruins their end game - the breakup of Canada. So long as the separatists can keep the discussion on British Columbia and Quebec and away from Manitoba it strengthens their hand to break up Canada.
The Conservative Party of Canada doesn’t want the idea to work. It weakens anti-Ottawa fundraising opportunities which the party needs to survive. Pitting its western prairie base against what it likes to call the “Eastern Laurentien Elite” - for the record, I’m born and raised in Ottawa so I’m not sure if that makes me part of this supposed elite.
Encouraging and finding ways to move this project forward would over time strengthen the Liberal Party brand in the prairies.
Premier Brian Pallister has a chance to bring peace with the bickering provinces of British Columbia & Quebec when it comes to pipeline discussions. In an interview with Steve Lambert from the Canadian Press, Mr. Pallister stated he’s “very, very big on northern development” and “committed to working in partnership with affected people in northern Manitoba” because he wants “to make sure that we find great job opportunities and economic development opportunities for northern communities.”
Premier Pallister is standing on the shoulders of giants when it comes to Canadian unity and prosperity. Is he ready to act soon? Time is of the essence!
Clinton P. Desveaux is an accredited writer for Troy Media and former political advisor to Conservative, Liberal, and New Democrat politicians in Canada. He can be reached via email: ClintonDesveaux@gmail.com