Unlike an earthquake, Tuesday91裸聊视频檚 federal government 91裸聊视频済reen light91裸聊视频� on the Trans Mountain Pipeline Expansion Project (TMX) was entirely predictable.

But like an earthquake in the ocean, it came with the requisite tsunami, this one a wave of press releases washing across newsroom desks across B.C.

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As soon as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced the approval, in they came. By the time I left the office Tuesday, I counted 19 press releases from political parties, business groups, Indigenous organizations, Trans Mountain itself and, of course, environmental activists. And that91裸聊视频檚 just as a B.C. journalist. I91裸聊视频檓 sure I91裸聊视频檓 not on everyone91裸聊视频檚 mailing list. Others may have seen many, many more.

Depending on the point of view, the unsurprising announcement from a government that owns the pipeline in question, a decision to approve the twinning of the 1,150-kilometre pipeline, tripling the capacity, was 91裸聊视频渟tunning hypocrisy91裸聊视频� (Rain Forest Action Network) or 91裸聊视频渄isgraceful in a climate emergency91裸聊视频� (Wilderness Committee or 91裸聊视频渁 violent act against young people91裸聊视频� (Sierra Club of BC).

From supporters of the pipeline expansion it was tepid support at best, given the small-c conservative politicization of all things Trudeau and/or federally Liberal. If you hate Trudeau, but are pro-pipeline, the response needed to be a half-empty cup.

Well before approval, before 7 a.m., the federal Conservatives put forth leader Andrew Scheer91裸聊视频檚 response. Building a pipeline is a decision he would have clearly also made, but one he had to criticize: 91裸聊视频淐abinet Decision on TMX Meaningless Without Construction Date: Scheer.91裸聊视频�

A political 91裸聊视频測es, but91裸聊视频� response.

The Canadian Federation of Independent Business was the least passive-aggressive in support of the decision: 91裸聊视频淲e are pleased to see the federal government91裸聊视频檚 final decision today granting approval of the Trans Mountain Pipeline Expansion (TMX) Project. After more than seven years of review, it91裸聊视频檚 time to get shovels in the ground.91裸聊视频�

The BC Liberal Caucus naturally used the decision to lambaste the governing NDP: 91裸聊视频�91裸聊视频楾oday91裸聊视频檚 decision by the federal government sends a clear message to John Horgan and the NDP: The time for obstruction is over 91裸聊视频� their government needs to get out of the way and support this project.91裸聊视频�91裸聊视频�

Of those initial 19 press releases, the majority were Indigenous groups and environmental organizations issuing missives written long ago, knowing Trudeau would say yes to TMX.

From the Sierra Club to Greenpeace to Stand.Earth to the David Suzuki Foundation, the messages were clear. From Greenpeace: 91裸聊视频淔or the Trudeau government to approve this pipeline after declaring a climate emergency makes about as much sense as pouring gasoline on a burning fire.91裸聊视频�

As for Indigenous leaders, the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs is not impressed. Their headline: 91裸聊视频淐anada Approves TMX Despite Failing to Achieve Consent: Declaration of Climate Emergency Rings Hollow.91裸聊视频�

Tsleil-Waututh Chief Leah George-Wilson called Trudeau91裸聊视频檚 approval 91裸聊视频渄isappointing91裸聊视频� if 91裸聊视频渘ot surprising91裸聊视频� and vows to fight it in court.

Those who hate Trudeau, hate Trudeau no matter what he does, this file proves it. Those who support environmental responsibility are unsurprised by Scheer91裸聊视频檚 derision but are left disappointed by a Prime Minister who declared a climate emergency one day and approved the tripling of a pipeline to get diluted bitumen from Alberta to tidewater the next.

Nuanced positions are increasingly tough to hold in politics, division is the order of the day. You are either with us or you are against us. The environment or the economy. Leaders who try to have cake and eat it look greedy.

Political cartoonist Greg Perry drew an unflattering image of Trudeau in a pickle costume musing how it isn91裸聊视频檛 easy being green. Yes, the PM is in a pickle of his own making. But isn91裸聊视频檛 that the reality of balancing an economy and an environment?

And as usual, the best cartoonists nail down in one image what a press release writer (or columnist) can lay out in 650-or-so words.

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paul.henderson@theprogress.com
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