Pipelines to financially boost B.C. more than Alberta, says study
CBC News
Posted: Aug 10, 2012 1:02 PM PT
Last Updated: Aug 10, 2012 1:15 PM PT
A new study says B.C. could make more in gross domestic product and tax revenue than other provinces if the expanion of the Trans Mountain pipeline. (Darryl Dyck/Canadian Press)
Related
Related Stories
External Links
(Note:CBC does not endorse and is not responsible for the content of external links.)
New research looking at the economic payoff of two major pipelines suggests B.C. could be the big winner.
Calgary-based Canadian Energy Research Institute says the combined value from the construction and operation of the proposed Northern Gateway pipeline and the expansion plans for the Trans Mountain pipeline will bring B.C. almost $10 billion in gross domestic product.
That's more than any other province, including Alberta, where the GDP is estimated to be less than $5 billion.
The lead author and senior researcher of the report, Dinara Millington, says one reason is location.
“These two pipelines physically would go through the province and actually would be constructed and operated in British Columbia territory,” she said.
Millington says some of the economic benefits for B.C. are not only GDP revenue, but also employment and tax revenues.
B.C. premier Chirsty Clark has repeatedly said her province will see very little benefit from the Northern Gateway, despite carrying the bulk of the risk.
B.C. to reap more taxes, says report
For tax revenues, the report says Northern Gateway could generate $1.45 billion for the Government of Canada, $545 million to provincial and regional governments in B.C. and $162 million to provincial and municipal governments in Alberta.
The Trans Mountain pipeline expansion is expected to bring in more than $2 billion in tax revenues, with $1.31 billion going to the federal government, $522 million to B.C. governments and $134 million to Alberta governments.
The study also broke down the economic impact by regions on the West Coast.
In Alberta, the study shows Calgary and Edmonton benefitting the most from the two pipelines.
Within B.C., Millington says Vancouver would see the largest economic impact.
"So within B.C. we found that the mainland region, which is where Vancouver is, stands to be the highest beneficiary of these two pipelines.... That's where the major businesses are run from," she said.
The research was funded by the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers and both the Alberta and federal governments.
The study also finds Ontario would benefit from the pipelines, bringing in a combined total of more than $1.2 billion in GDP and more than $155 million in tax revenues to provincial and municipal governments in Ontario.
Share Tools
Latest British Columbia News Headlines
- Holmes Hydro can proceed without environmental assessment
- The B.C. Supreme Court has ruled that a hydro-electric development in northeastern B.C. should be allowed to proceed without an environmental assessment. more »
- British classic car show held in Vancouver
- Hundreds braved the drizzle to check out the annual All British Field Meet in Vancouver on Saturday, which showcased more than 600 classic British cars. more »
- Spectator killed at Edmonton Jeep event
- A 20-year-old woman died Saturday during an event for Jeep enthusiasts held in a parking lot just west of downtown Edmonton. more »
- Toronto Mayor Rob Ford cancels weekly radio show
- Toronto Mayor Rob Ford will not be hosting his weekly radio show this weekend after explosive allegations that he was recorded on video appearing to smoke crack cocaine. more »
Must Watch
Top News Headlines
- Rescue attempt over for New Brunswick fishermen
- The rescue attempt for two missing fishermen has been called off in New Brunswick, hours after one body was found. more »
- Spectator killed at Edmonton Jeep event
- A 20-year-old woman died Saturday during an event for Jeep enthusiasts held in a parking lot just west of downtown Edmonton. more »
- Astronaut Chris Hadfield adjusts to 'earthling' life
- Canada's space ambassador, Chris Hadfield, is still readapting to life on this planet after spending 146 days in zero gravity as commander of the International Space Station. For now, though, he's taking his homecoming one step at a time. more »
- Afghan legislators block law protecting women
- An Afghan legislator says conservative lawmakers have blocked approval of a law that aims to protect women's freedoms, saying parts of it violate Islamic principles. more »
- Holmes Hydro can proceed without environmental assessment
- Public raising funds to buy alleged Rob Ford crack video
- British classic car show held in Vancouver
- Spectator killed at Edmonton Jeep event
- RCMP has 'no interest' in discussing harassment suit settlement
- Police urge boaters to be safe on the water
- B.C.'s largest Ahmadiyya mosque opens in Delta
- B.C. climber killed jumping to avoid falling rock
- First Nations chief asks to meet B.C. premier over pipelines

