Laval 'firmly against' Energy East pipeline, Marc Demers says

Laval Mayor Marc Demers has announced the city strongly opposes theproposed Energy East pipeline project.

Demers said todaythe pipeline presents an "unreasonable safety risk" toLaval's waterways, drinking water, agricultural land and residentialneighbourhoods.

"We are against it firmly against it," he said.

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Demers said the thought of a major leak or explosion "sends shiversdown my spine."

He said he met with officials from TransCanada and was not reassured.

TransCanada spokesmanTimDuboycesaidDemersis being premature.

Duboycesaidthe project is complex but thatTransCanadais committed to working with municipalities to provide all the information they require.

He saidLaval's stance will not changeTranasCanada'sdetermination to proceed with Energy East.

The proposed Energy East project would see TransCanada ship 1.1million barrels of oil per day from Alberta to New Brunswick, passing through several municipalities in Quebec.

Dozens of other smaller municipalities in the province have already expressed reservations or outright opposition to the project.

Montreal Mayor DenisCoderrehas not takenan official position, but has called the project "risky" and expressed doubts about its economic benefits.

Seven smaller municipalities are backing the project.

The exact route of the pipeline is still unknown, but itwould pass through parts of Laval, Demerssaid.

Hesaid the city will present its positionat a series of upcomingpublic consultations launched by theMontreal Metropolitan Community.

TransCanada has already said it will not participate in the consultations.