VANCOUVER, British Columbia, May 6 (UPI) -- An oil pipeline in Alberta will boost the Canadian economy and reduce dependency on foreign oil, executives at Enbridge Inc. said.
Enbridge wants to build a network of pipelines from Edmonton to the west coast of Canada to move tar sands oil from Alberta to Asian markets.
Enbridge Chief Executive Officer Pat Daniel said the project would make Canada more self-sufficient by opening new markets in North America, the Vancouver Sun reports.
"We're doing it because it's important for Canada, for our economy, for our energy security and for our nation's role as a significant player on the world stage," he said.
The $5.5 billion project is met with opposition from native and environmental groups, however, who worry about the fallout from oil activity in the coastal regions of Canada.
John Ridsdale, a Wet'suwet'en tribal chief, warned Enbridge over the potential environmental damage.
"All it takes is one spill, which will happen, and you'll never ever get your waterways back," he said.
