Federal Natural Resources Minister Jim Carr bristled at accusations that the process for approving the controversial Kinder Morgan pipeline expansion was rigged.
“On the contrary, we simply entered the process really, really, really wanting the pipeline built — I mean, we really, really wanted that baby built,” Carr told reporters outside the House of Commons on Tuesday.
“That’s all. If entering a process knowing how we wanted the outcome to be is rigged, than I guess it w—IT WASN’T RIGGED.”
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, meanwhile, batted away similar accusations from the opposition during Question Period.
“The simple fact is, we conducted the most comprehensive consultation process with First Nations around this pipeline, ever,” he said.
“Sure, they mostly said no to the pipeline but when has that ever stopped us before? When, Mr. Speaker? That’s consultation and that’s reconciliation in action.”
A spokesperson for the federal Liberals said that the party is confident this whole thing will blow over before the next election in 2019 anyway.