Philippe Couillard defends Energy East pipeline injunction

Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard is defending his province's decision to take legal action against TransCanada over theEnergyEast pipeline.

Couillardsaidthatconcerns over the pipeline were understandableand that letting Quebecers voice these concerns was just part of the process.

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"The Quebec segment of the project is entirely new infrastructure that will be going through heavily populated areas of Quebec," Couillard said Wednesday outside climate talks in Vancouver.

"[The pipeline will pass through] dozens of communities and more than 700 streams and rivers. I know of no jurisdiction in the world where significant concerns would not be raised."

On Tuesday,Quebec Environment Minister DavidHeurtelannounced the province would seek an injunction toto ensureTransCanadacomplieswith the province's environmental laws.

The move wasmet with harsh criticism from severalpoliticians in the Western Canada, whoaccused the province of failing to do its part to grow the national economy.

Couillard made thecomments on Wednesday ata joint news conference with Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne.

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Wynne said that the pipeline would helpOntario and Quebec strengthen theirrelationship. She added that the project would provide prosperity in economic and environmental matters.

Mayors in Montreal and its surrounding municipalities have criticized the project,saying itsenvironmental risks outweigh economic benefits.

If the federal government and the National Energy Board approve the project, TransCanadasaid construction could begin by 2018 and the pipelinewould be ready by 2020.

The $15.7-billion Energy East pipeline would carry 1.1 millionbarrels a day of western crude as far east as Saint John,serving domestic refineries and international customers.