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B.C. Tory makes pipeline case

British Columbians should rally around the proposed Northern Gateway project because it's in the best interest of Canadians, according to Prince George-Mackenzie Conservative candidate Terry Rysz.

British Columbians should rally around the proposed Northern Gateway project because it's in the best interest of Canadians, according to Prince George-Mackenzie Conservative candidate Terry Rysz.

"We're are being good partners in Canada with Alberta, with Saskatchewan and with the northern part of British Columbia and with Canadians in general," Rysz said. "We're diversifying our economy by having other trading partners."

The project, which aims to connect Alberta's oilsands with Kitimat and allow Canadian diluted bitumen to be shipped to Asian market, has led to steep political divisions in B.C.. All the major parties have staked out starkly different positions in advance of the May 14 election, giving voters a clear choice.

The Conservatives are the only party to out and out support the $6.5 billion plan, although the Liberals have left the door open to approval if certain environmental, economic and social conditions are met. The NDP and Greens are both against the project to varying degrees.

Rysz said he recognizes the environmental concerns that opponents have brought forward as the project has moved through the federal environmental review process, but he believes the pipeline can be built safely.

"With new technology, I believe we can put a bullet-proof pipeline through here," he said.

During the campaign, Rysz said he will encourage people to look at the big picture, rather on just what the pipeline means to northern B.C.

"We have to start to work in the 'we' concept, instead of the 'me' concept," he said. "It's one of the biggest problems in the political state of this province, is that it seems to be all about me and not we."

The Liberals laid out five conditions last summer that Northern Gateway, or any other heavy oil pipeline proponent, must meet before any projects get approved. So far none have been met and in a recent interview Premier Christy Clark said the company is no closer to achieving them.

The NDP have pledged to sever the equivalency agreement the province signed with the federal government and launch their own made-in-B.C. environmental review.

The Greens have taken an even harder stance against the project, with and outright rejection of the pipeline and now plans to launch their own review.

"It's at the core of our beliefs, it's not just a tacked on as a populist strategy," said Colin Hamm, the Green candidate in Nechako Lakes.

He said although there would be some jobs from the project located in B.C., most of the profit from the project would go to companies based either outside the province or even overseas.

"We don't just oppose the pipeline for idealistic or aesthetic reasons, it's much more than that," Hamm said. "We oppose the pipeline on purely economic grounds as well. We should follow the money."