TransCanada tries to win over Quebec on Energy East pipeline

The company behind the Energy East pipeline ramped up its charm offensive in Quebec on Wednesday, announcing it had signed a multimillion dollar orderfor the construction of 22 modular enclosures along the pipeline route.

That deal with ABB Canada would create 120 direct jobs in Quebec and a further 90 spinoff jobs.

But itwill only proceed if the $15.7-billion pipeline project gets the go-ahead, and Quebec politiciansremain unconvinced that the Energy East projectis in thebest interest of the province.

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Montreal Mayor Denis Coderre, whoalong with more than 80 other municipal leaders recently rejected the proposed pipeline over environmental concerns, said his understanding was that the number of jobs the project would create is much lower.

Based on facts, based on numbers, on explanations, on science, we firmly believe that we can meet the seven principles of the Quebec government,- JonathanAbecassis,TransCanadaspokesman

"We're talking 33 jobs, five in Quebec, and we're talking aboutan impact of $2 million a year. Is it worth it?" Coderre told reporters at city hall on Wednesday.

Coderreasserted that he wasn't against the project, but thatTransCanadawas "a bad corporate citizen [which] isnot addressing the questions."

Hesaid there are factors beyond the economic benefits to consider, saying that environmental and social concerns should also be taken into account.

"It's all together, so you need to strike a balance," Coderre said.

Quebec'sconditions

TransCanada'sEnergy East pipeline wouldcarry 1.1 million barrels of crude oil per day from Albertato refineries in eastern Canada and New Brunswick.

Environmental activists continue to lobbygovernments to stop further development of theoilsands.

They argue that any new pipeline will increase global oil supply and therefore increase greenhouse gas emissions.

Quebec Environment Minister David Heurtel said citizens' concerns in Quebec are legitimate, and Transcanadashould focus on answering them.

Heurtel reiterated the seven conditions forthe project to proceed, which includemore extensive consultations with First Nations and a positiveeconomic impact on Quebec.

"What we need is satisfying answers to all of these questions," Heurtel said Wednesday in Quebec City.

For its part, TransCanada said it was ready to co-operate andback up its claims with scientific data.

"Based on facts, based on numbers, on explanations, on science, we firmly believe that we can meet the seven principles of the Quebec government," said TransCanada spokesman Jonathan Abecassis.

Louis Bergeron, Energy East's vice-president for New Brunswick and Quebec, said he appreciates that in order to have this project acceptedTransCanadaneeds to show Quebecers there is more in it for them.

"Coderre mentioned several times that we have to do our homework,"Bergeron said.

"So I think today what we're saying is that we are doing it. We have a lot more coming up, and it's my job to make sure we satisfy this principle that the Quebec government requested for us to maximize the economic benefits of this project."