‘Better use’ for Sask. steel than pipeline: protester

It wasn’t a large protest, but a few people in Saskatoon aren’t happy about the pending federal government buyout of the Kinder Morgan TransMountain pipeline.

About 25 people gathered outside the federal building along 22nd Street Monday morning to speak out against the decision, holding signs calling for clean energy investments.

“It boggles the mind,” retiree Anne Barker said after the protest.

Trudeau’s Liberal government announced the $4.5 billion deal last week, in an attempt to ensure the pipeline is built in the face of B.C. opposition.

The demonstrators shared their thoughts about the dangers of climate change, and expressed dismay that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau appeared to be siding with oil interests over the environment.

Small protest of about 25 people against the government purchase of the $4.5bn Trans Mountain Pipeline. They say the pipeline will hurt the environment, and the government should instead focus on shutting down the oilsands.

Small protest of about 25 people against the government purchase of the $4.5bn Trans Mountain Pipeline. They say the pipeline will hurt the environment, and the government should instead focus on shutting down the oilsands. #yxe #cdnpoli pic.twitter.com/wRmuG3u5Ex

— Chris Vandenbreekel (@Vandecision) June 4, 2018

Mark Pritchard, a common fixture in Saskatoon protests, said he understands the desire to preserve jobs — like the 1,000 positions at Evraz in Regina.

However, he suggested steel manufacturing could be put to “better use.”

“We need steel for wind turbines. We need it for infrastructure to get clean water to all first nations,” he said.

“We don’t need pipelines to expand bitumen production.”

The people gathered all signed a letter, which will be sent to the prime minister in an effort to get him to back away from the deal.