OTTAWA, Dec 16 (Reuters) - Canada's government will discuss early next year whether to sign off on a regulator's approval of a proposed Arctic gas pipeline, Environment Minister John Baird told Reuters on Thursday.
Baird, who described the Mackenzie pipeline project as exciting for Canada's North and the Canadian economy, said Ottawa wanted 'to jump the next hurdle in getting the regulatory approvals completed'.
He said Natural Resources Minister Christian Paradis would come to cabinet in the new year with a recommendation as to whether the government should give the final go-ahead. Baird declined to say when Ottawa would issue a ruling.
(Reporting by David Ljunggren; editing by Rob Wilson) Keywords: CANADA ARCTIC/PIPELINE GOVERNMENT (david.ljunggren@reuters.com; +1 613 235 6745; Reuters Messaging: david.ljunggren.reuters.com@reuters.net) COPYRIGHT Copyright Thomson Reuters 2010. All rights reserved. The copying, republication or redistribution of Reuters News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Reuters.
Baird, who described the Mackenzie pipeline project as exciting for Canada's North and the Canadian economy, said Ottawa wanted 'to jump the next hurdle in getting the regulatory approvals completed'.
He said Natural Resources Minister Christian Paradis would come to cabinet in the new year with a recommendation as to whether the government should give the final go-ahead. Baird declined to say when Ottawa would issue a ruling.
(Reporting by David Ljunggren; editing by Rob Wilson) Keywords: CANADA ARCTIC/PIPELINE GOVERNMENT (david.ljunggren@reuters.com; +1 613 235 6745; Reuters Messaging: david.ljunggren.reuters.com@reuters.net) COPYRIGHT Copyright Thomson Reuters 2010. All rights reserved. The copying, republication or redistribution of Reuters News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Reuters.