B.C.'s approval of the Kinder Morgan pipeline expansion was never in serious doubt but whether the province got enough out of the deal is still an open question.
Apparently, the clincher was a $1-billion investment fund for community environmental projects over 20 years based on money B.C. will get from Kinder Morgan's oil sales on the spot market, about 17% of shipments.
This fund is not likely to silence the criticism, nor will it prevent court cases by First Nations groups against the pipeline, which will pass through Coquitlam. But it does give the premier talking points in the lead-up to May's provincial election, however little money this actually is in the big picture.
Also uncertain is how many jobs British Columbians will get from construction given that there is a local shortage of skilled labour.
We can only hope the promised safety measures to protect B.C. waters are adequate.
