"Prime Minister Stephen Harper says there are some Americans who want to turn Canada into a "giant national park" and he wants to ensure their opposition to the proposed Northern Gateway pipeline doesn't delay regulatory hearings into the project.
Harper made the comment in an interview with CBC broadcaster Peter Mansbridge aired Monday.
In the interview, Harper answered questions on topics such as the controversial pipeline, health care, publicsector pensions, Iran and Aboriginal Affairs.
The prime minister was asked if the proposed pipeline - which would bring Alberta bitumen from that province's oil fields to the British Columbia coast so it can be shipped to Asia - is a fait accompli.
"What I think I'd make clear is that I believe selling our energy products to Asia is in the country's national interest," said Harper.
"It is in our interests for all kinds of reasons, that we diversify our exports, particularly our energy exports."
Still, Harper stressed there is a regulatory process in place and he is not ready to endorse any specific project.
The $5.5-billion Northern Gateway project is now being reviewed by a National Energy Board panel. In recent days, Harper and Natural Resources Minister Joe Oliver have complained that foreign-financed "radical" opponents of the plan have hijacked the Northern Gateway debate and threaten to slow down the hearings.
Harper was pressed by Mansbridge on whether the government was guilty of a double-standard by attacking environmental groups while not doing likewise with foreign-backed entities that support the pipeline.
"These are all valid questions," Harper said. "But just because certain people in the United States would like to see Canada be one giant national park for the northern half of North America, I don't think that's part of what our review process is all about." " - Mark Kennedy, Post Media.
What do you think? Should we deface our beautiful Canada, like Harper says we should?
