Enbridge Line 5: Canada invokes 1977 treaty again over dispute – National

The Canadian authorities is invoking for the second time in lower than a 12 months a 1977 treaty that may power the American authorities to barter over the destiny of Enbridge’s Line 5 pipeline by means of Michigan.

That state’s authorities has been preventing in court docket to attempt to get the pipeline shut down, citing fears that the ageing pipeline will leak and trigger critical environmental injury. Enbridge has rejected these fears, saying the pipeline continues to be secure however that it’s going to construct a brand new tunnel to include the pipeline.

Canada beforehand invoked the treaty in November 2021.

Overseas Affairs Minister Melanie Joly introduced the invocation of the treaty in an announcement on Monday, pointing to the “vital” impression shutting down the pipeline would carry for Canadian jobs and payments.

“The financial and vitality disruption and injury to Canada and the U.S. from a Line 5 shutdown could be widespread and vital. This is able to impression vitality costs, corresponding to propane for heating houses and the worth of gasoline on the pump,” she mentioned.

“At a time when international inflation is making it arduous on households to make ends meet, these are unacceptable outcomes.”

Joly added that the federal government fears the “domino results” of a shutdown into each the oil trade and different areas of the Canadian economic system, in addition to into communities on each side of the border.

She mentioned invoking the treaty will guarantee crude can proceed flowing whereas officers negotiate.

“This treaty ensures the uninterrupted transmission of hydrocarbons — within the case of Line 5, gentle crude oil and pure gasoline liquids — from one place in Canada to a different, transiting by means of america,” she mentioned.

“Canada is dedicated to working constructively to discover a answer that responds to the pursuits of communities, respects Canada’s rights beneath the treaty and ensures the continued and secure provide of vitality to central Canada.”

— with information from Reuters