Justin Trudeau blames Conservatives for 'politicized' NEB process, won't rush Energy East

Prime Minister JustinTrudeauwould not commit togreen-lighting the divisive Energy East pipeline todayand instead slammedhis predecessors for interfering in what he said should be a rigorousscientific process.

"One of the challenges we're in right now is that my predecessors havepoliticizedthat process. I'm not going to prejudge or shortcutthe [National Energy Board]process as it goes forward," he said.

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Trudeaumade the statementafter meeting with several oil and gas industry leaders in Calgary on Thursday, some of whom were all smiles after speaking with the prime minister.

"What we got today was an understanding of the challenges we face," said Suncor Energy CEOSteve Williams, whose company Canada's largest oilsands player posted a net loss of $2 billion for the final three months of 2015.

Williams said the meeting was "very encouraging" andTrudeau listened to industry concerns about the price cycle of oil and market access during theroundtable, which includedsenior executives from Shell, Husky, Cenovusand other major firms, along with Alberta Premier Rachel Notley and federalNatural Resources Minister Jim Carr.

Trudeauwas also well-receivedat the second roundtable, which included representatives of the companies that provide goods and services to the oil and gas companies.

"It was a very good meeting. Informative on both sides, and I see the prime minister understands the importance of the oil and gas industry to Canada, not just Alberta," said Ian McConnell, a vice-president at Core Laboratories.

"Getting access to markets is important and he understands that.From what he told us today, he's in favour of pipelines because it benefits all of Canada."

Oilpatch leaders deliver message to Trudeau

9 years ago

Duration 2:13

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tells reporters what the leaders of Calgary's oilpatch said to him today.

The head of thethe Petroleum Services Association of Canada says Trudeauseems prepared to act as the champion for getting Alberta's oil to market.

"He appreciates it, he knows that it's not an easy task, but he's going to take it on for us. So we really appreciate that," he said.

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Alberta Energy Minister Margaret McCuaig-Boyd, who also took part in Thursday's roundtable, said no agreements were reachedbut it was a productive meeting.

"I think right now the prime minister is just listening and learning as much from the industry and the challenges," she said.

Trudeau met with Notleyin Edmonton on Wednesday, whereshe saysshe impressed upon himhow important pipelines are to the province in gettingoilsandscrude to tidewater and off to foreign markets.

She said the prime minister confirmedthat millions of dollars are on the way from Ottawa to help offset the downturn in the energy sector.

Alberta will getnearly $700 million in federal infrastructure money "immediately." Ottawa also plans to grant the$250 million requested by Alberta under the fiscalstabilizationfund.

CBC Forum: How should Canada help Alberta's economy?

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