We need both lines. The west coast line is not a for-sure either.
We have enough oil to easily support both lines.
The Asian market is a fickle market as well, they are capable of changing their strategies almost immedialty.
We should not be fully dependant on any one market. We have to learn to pull our weight in the world market place and certainly not depend on relying on the US to look after our interest.
You are infinitely better-off to play 2 'fickle' markets against each other.
Harper's in the driving seat? How on earth do you figure that one? He's sucking the hind tit as usual with all deals pertaining to the U.S.of A.
He's "demanded" a meeting with O'bama and much has been made by Canada's media of his being given a 5 minute audience with His Lordship today while the American MSM is describing Obama's day as being nothing of consequence happening "a personal, no-business day". Haaar!
Harper sits in a back room listening to APEC discussions because Canada has excluded itself from joining those discussions due to it's not wanting FARMING products on the table because our farming community wants CONTINUED protection from the Asia market wanting free and equal access to our PROTECTED FARMER'S markets. Oh my, a conservative government who blathers on about free trade being the future but then opt's out of free trade inclusion with Asian markets 'cause it might piss off some farmer voters.
Yeah this is the government that is in the driver's seat when talking with Washington on all things from a border initiative to an oil pipeline. NOT!
"Crappolla" of the first order! This is just more of the same old, same old, 'talk out of both sides of your pie hole' while claiming the moral high ground.
Are you on glue?
First-off, we're talking about oil, not every pet peeve that you imagine.
Second, cut the partisan politics crap, it will only result in a myriad of examples of hypocrisy by all of the Canadian political parties.
Third, Harper IS in the driver's seat on this. He is now in a position to use the various 'exemptions' to NAFTA (by both nations I might add) in his favour, let alone throw his open support behind the West coast line without being saddled by the restrictions outlined in the existing 'agreements' (which aren't worth the paper they are written on.
Obama has sh*t the bed on this one. He fully knows that they will need Canadian crude to fuel their economy and in deferring the obligatory supply that would have been contracted by XL Keystone, he is only opening the door for competitive contracts by other nations.
Canada will benefit from the labour involved in the construction of both lines and the sooner that the West line gets in high gear, the sooner we will get the benefits... The South will also come on line, at which time the Canadian labour markets will benefit at that time.