Keystone XL decision shouldn’t be symbol of Cda-US relations: Clinton
Posted June 16, 2014 6:34 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Washington’s long-awaited decision to approve or reject the Keystone XL pipeline should not become a symbol of the relationship between the United States and Canada, former U.S. secretary of state Hillary Clinton said Monday during a book tour stop in Toronto.
Speaking before a business crowd of roughly 1,800, Clinton said the controversial project — designed to move Alberta crude oil to the Gulf Coast — has become “a proxy for everything” as proponents and critics lock horns over its fate.
“However this Keystone decision is finally made, some people are going to be very happy, relieved and think it was the right decision and some people are going to be distraught and even angry and upset, thinking it was a terrible decision,” she said.
“I do not see it, though, nor should it be a proxy for the relationship. It is, after all, one pipeline. We already have a lot of pipelines that cross our border.”
American approval of the pipeline has been stalled in the U.S. while the Obama administration drops hints that Canada must do more on the environment.
The TransCanada Corp. project should be part of a wider discussion on energy and the environment, Clinton said.
“I do believe that both Canada and the United States can become even richer, more prosperous but also more environmentally sustainable by having a broad engagement over energy and climate, and not focusing everything on this one decision.”
The former first lady is in the city to discuss her new memoir, Hard Choices.
Many observers were hoping she might drop a few hints on whether she plans to run in the next U.S. presidential election, but she would only say she hopes to one day see a woman in the White House.
Clinton has insisted she hasn’t decided on a second bid for the presidency but over the course of her book tour so far she has made it clear she is giving it serious consideration.
Clinton has said she finds the prospect of running compelling simply because it offers the chance to help Americans find economic opportunities that elude them.
