As reported in the Regina Leader-Post, on May 16, the Honourable Andrew Scheer delivered his plan for the economy, which included the creation of a dedicated coast-to-coast right of way for pipeline projects.

Conceptually, this is a bold and potentially sensible solution to address many of the challenges facing Canada’s economy — but the vision needs to be broader and more ambitious than just pipelines.

If properly and more completely fleshed out, this could present an opportunity to not only connect resources with markets but also connect our communities, enable commerce and trade, and address social and environmental concerns while allowing economic growth in remote, northern and First Nation communities.

You may be asking yourself, what exactly is a national corridor?

It is not a new idea, as it was originally proposed during Canada’s Centennial Year, 1967, by General Richard Rhomer, long before “pipeline politics”. The concept of a national corridor is a network of rights-of-way across northern Canada for multiple types of infrastructure assets, such as telecommunication and forestry projects, roads, rail — and of course pipelines. It would connect all regions of Canada and provide market access for Canadian products, allow movement of goods and services while addressing social and environmental concerns. Imagine how much easier it would be to support some of the remote northern communities, once we have pre-established corridors. Imagine the cultural and societal impact. The value is immeasurable.

A nationwide corridor would facilitate the planning, development and implementation of both public and private infrastructure and natural resource projects, by bringing all levels of government and relevant stakeholders to the table to identify and acquire lands and secure the required approvals. This integrated planning approach would eliminate the need for multiple reviews of major projects, and more importantly allow governments to better consult with First Nations and local stakeholders on the correct path for a right-of-way where projects could then be built.

Another key benefit of a national corridor is how it would require a significantly smaller geographical and environmental footprint than the current fragmented approach to the development of projects.

Keep reading in the Regina Leader-Post

 

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