THUNDER BAY -- Both sides of a controversial proposed pipeline project are accusing the other of making a decision before all the facts are in.
On Monday night Thunder Bay city council decided to wait until the National Energy Board deemed TransCanada's Energy East proposal, which would see an oil pipeline from Alberta to New Brunswick run through Northwestern Ontario, complete.
Citizens United for a Sustainable Planet, which rallied with more than 130 outside of city hall opposing the project, said it was disappointed that the city didn't make its decision, a delay introduced by Coun. Iain Angus who has supported the project through his work with the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association.
In a media release, the group questioned how Angus could suggest council wait to make a decision when he's already spoken in favour of the project.
“What’s most troubling to me is that the councillor who moved to defer has been featured on TransCanada’s website promoting the pipeline," CUSP's Paul Berger said in the release.
"We need to ask Mr. Angus if he represents his constituents or TransCanada Pipelines.”
But Angus said he could just as easily throw it back at the group, asking how they could oppose the project before the facts are in.
"They don't want a pipeline no matter what," he said.
NOMA's work looked at transporting pipeline through the region compared to rail. The organization also supported the project with a number of conditions attached.
Angus said 32,000 cars carrying crude oil rolls through Thunder Bay every year.
"Right through Westfort. Right through McKellar. Right through Current River putting in danger all of the people who live along those tracks if there was a spill," he said.
His support for the pipeline is mainly one of safety.
