Political Analysis: The Trans Mountain Pipeline and its Implications

This essay examines the political dimensions of the Trans Mountain Pipeline in Alberta, focusing on the arguments supporting its construction. It begins by outlining the historical context of the pipeline project, emphasizing the role of crude oil and fossil fuels in a globalized world and the economic incentives driving political decisions. The paper's thesis centers on the political benefits of the pipeline, arguing that government support is driven by potential tax revenues, increased foreign investment, economic development, and improvements in healthcare. The essay presents arguments highlighting how the pipeline can lead to higher tax revenues, attract foreign investment, and stimulate economic growth, thereby enhancing the government's political stability and capacity to provide social services. It also acknowledges the counterarguments, which are not the focus of this essay. In conclusion, the essay underscores that the construction of the Trans Mountain Pipeline is politically favorable for the Canadian government because of the anticipated economic growth and the ability to improve the living standards of its citizens.

Running head: POLITICAL ASPECT OF THE TRANS MOUNTAIN PIPELINE
Political aspect of the Trans Mountain Pipeline
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

1POLITICAL ASPECT OF THE TRANS MOUNTAIN PIPELINE
Introduction
The generation of energy is one of the main requirements of the globalized world of
today. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, marking the end of the Cold War, the liberal
ideology as advocated by the United States of America, came to the fore front (MacLean, 2019,
p 3). The nation states around the world realized the importance of organizing the economic
market in the principle of liberalism and privatization which would help boost the economy.
There would be adherence to the spirit of competition and each of the essential commodities in
the market would be available to the individual consumers at competitive prices (Fox, 2019, p 6).
Thus, the spirit of privatization was sought to be established within the contemporary globalized
world. In their bid to earn a higher profit margin, the private players started to exploit the natural
resources of the Earth. In this context, it needs to be noted that crude oil and fossil fuels make up
the most profitable business for any entrepreneur since such resources are needed by the
government for the generation of energy and electricity within their respective nation states
(Pasternak & Schabus, 2019, p 1). Thus, the entrepreneurial activities of the businesses were
backed by the political support of the state leaders; economic growth was their main objective.
Thesis Statement
The purpose of this paper is to understand the impact of the construction of the Trans
Mountain Pipeline in Alberta and to analyze why there should be political support for such a
construction.
About the Trans Mountain Pipeline
Before arguing for the case of the construction of the Trans Mountain Pipeline in Alberta,
there is first the need to understand what it is. In the middle of the twentieth century, a huge oil

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reserve was founded near Leduc of Alberta. The politicians and the local businessmen tried to
capitalize on this finding by proposing to transfer the oil from Alberta to that of British Columbia
(Longley, 2019, p 7). During this time, the region of Canada was still in its developing phases as
compared to its neighboring country of the United States of America. Thus, the political state
leaders saw this as an opportunity to come at par with the other political powers by exploiting
this opportunity to increase its economic growth and welfare aspects of its citizens (Clogg et al.,
2017, p 4).
In this regard, the construction of the Trans Mountain Pipeline started and soon a part of
its construction was provided to a private player by the name of Kinder Morgan. This company
wanted to construct a second pipeline, along the original pipeline for increasing the volume of
the oil to be transported from Alberta to British Columbia.
Political arguments in support of the construction of the Trans Mountain Pipeline
The construction of the Trans Mountain Pipeline has been highly debated ever since
proposal of its construction came in front of the public since the 1950s (McLean, 2018, p 1). A
mixed debate can be seen in its context. Many local businessmen and foreign investors have
supported the construction of the pipeline, on the basis that it would lead to high forms of
economic returns (Urquhart, 2019, p 185). However, the indigenous population of Alberta,
especially the members of the First Nations, have debated against its construction, citing the
reason of human rights violation. However, in this context, the political stance of the country has
largely been in favor of the construction of the Trans Mountain Pipeline (Hoberg, 2018, p 3).
The arguments provided in favor of its construction can be noted below.
Argument 1

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The first argument which is provided in favor of construction of the Trans Mountain
Pipeline in Alberta is that the political leaders would highly benefit from the tax revenue which
is collected (Neal, 2016, p 425).
The government would be able to use this tax for greater political purposes. For instance,
they would be able to work for the welfare of the community members by giving them aid and
support which earlier where not given to them. Their quality of living would be improved to a
significant extent (Richards, 2020).
Thus, it can be analyzed that the construction of the Trans Mountain Pipeline and the
incurring of taxes is beneficial to the political leaders for the furthering of its political motives.
The increase in the living standard of the people of the country, would lead to a consequent rise
in the support towards the government. Thus, this can ensure the political stability within the
country.
Argument 2
Another political argument which is provided in favor of the construction of the Trans
Mountain Pipeline is that the construction would lead to a rise in the foreign investments which
is earned within the country of Canada ("Eleven reasons to oppose the Trans Mountain pipeline
expansion: Lynne Quarmby", 2018).
The higher earning of foreign investment reflects a stable political and social
environment of the concerned country of the world. This shows to the other businesses around
the world that the environment of the nation is relatively favorable for the setting up of its
businesses. They would have to deal with lesser number of challenges by the way of facing any
political or social obstacles from the people, which is a huge concern in the globalized world of

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today. Thus, the support of the government os extremely important for the construction or the
execution of any manufacturing process to be carried out in a country by a foreign company. The
inflow of the foreign investments in to the construction of the Trans Mountain Pipeline has
raised the stable image of the government of Canada in the minds of the people, both inside and
outside of the country ("Western Canada: Opposite sides of the Trans Mountain debate shape the
campaign in Alberta and B.C.", 2019). It has given the necessary boost to the economy of the
country, which is one of the main pre-requisite of any government around the world.
Thus, it can be analyzed that the construction of the Trans Mountain Pipeline has been
successful in bringing about a large foreign investment in to the country. This foreign
investment, in turn, gas been used by the government of Canada to further the economic and
social needs of the people. The construction of ore infrastructure and social sector schemes has
contributed to the rise in the support of the government by its citizens. The people are of the idea
that the government has been successful in achieving the objectives of a welfare state
Argument 3
A third political argument which has been provided in favor of the construction of the
Trans Mountain Pipeline is that the government of Canada has seen a huge rise in the economic
development of the country ("Trans Mountain pipeline ruling shifts economic, political
landscape in Trudeau’s favour", 2020).
In order to understand the concept of economic development, there is first the need to
understand the close relationship which is shared between the economic aspects of a country and
is political structures. The politicians of any nation state are in need of huge money to stabilize
its economy and work for the improvement in the quality of life of its citizens ("Canada

5POLITICAL ASPECT OF THE TRANS MOUNTAIN PIPELINE
Approves Expansion of Controversial Trans Mountain Pipeline", 2019). Thus, it can be analyzed
that the boost to the political nature of the country is related to the economic strength of its
country.
Argument 4
Another argument which is provided in the context of the construction of the Trans
Mountain Pipeline is that the country would be experiencing a high level of economic growth
("Canada Approves Expansion of Controversial Trans Mountain Pipeline", 2019). The economic
growth has the potential to increase the standing of the country in the international sphere of
activity, leading to the rise in the image of the political stability of the country. Thus, it can be
analyzed that the construction of the Trans Mountain Pipeline is defended by the politicians by
the way of propounding a positive image front of the other countries of the world.
Argument 5
A concerning argument which is provided for the construction of the Trans Mountain
Pipeline by the political leaders of Canada is that it would lead to the rise in the living standard
of the citizen by the way of increase in health care (Neal, 2016, p 425). The monetary resources
accumulated by the political leaders by the way of taxes and returns on foreign investment would
be used for the improvement in the health care services of the country. Thus, it can be analyzed
that the political motives of the politicians are sought to be fulfilled with the aid of the
construction of the Trans Mountain Pipeline in Alberta.
Argument 6

6POLITICAL ASPECT OF THE TRANS MOUNTAIN PIPELINE
Another argument which is provided in favor of the construction of the Trans Mountain
Pipeline in Alberta is the rise in the national income of the country and the political support
which arises as a result of it.
The construction of the Trans Mountain Pipeline would require the purchase of land,
labor and capital goods. All of these inputs would incur a tax which is paid to the government of
Canada. Furthermore, tax would also need to be paid on an annual basis for the transmission of
the oil resources from Alberta to British Columbia ("Canada approves pipeline despite concerns
for Southern Resident orcas - Whale & Dolphin Conservation USA", 2019).
Summary of the arguments
To summarize the arguments, it can be seen that the construction of the Trans Mountain
Pipeline is politically favorable. The political leaders are of the idea that the collection of taxes
which would be incurred from the construction of the Trans Mountain Pipeline can be utilized
for furthering the national interests of the country. The primary national interest identified is that
of improving the standard of living of its own population. In other words, with the amount of
taxes collected from the pipeline, the government would be able to construct new infrastructure
for its people. The better connectivity of the country would, in turn, lead to a consequential
higher growth in the daily employment activities of the people. This would have a positive
impact on the economic growth of the country. Another argument which was seen in the course
of the paper, is that the government of Canada has defended the construction of the Trans
Mountain Pipeline by the way of rising foreign investments. This is essential in the time s of
globalization and opening up of the trade barriers. Foreign investment that flow in to a country,
leads to the rise in the economic reserves of that nation state. Thus, the money available with the
government rises and this boosts the manufacturing sector of the economy as well as its

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production level. Thus, the political leaders are of the opinion that the construction of the Trans
Mountain Pipeline is beneficial for the economy as well as for maintaining a healthy political
atmosphere where the people emerge in support of its government.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it can be seen that the construction of the Trans Mountain Pipeline is
widely favored by the political leaders of Canada since it leads to an obvious increase in the
economic growth of the country. Large scale tax returns is expected to be collected from the
transmission of oil from Alberta to that of British Columbia. This tax can, in turn, be used for the
extension of construction of the infrastructure in the country. This would take the form of
roadways, more railway construction and air transport. Furthermore, the additional taxes which
are incurred from the pipeline, can be used for the generation of more social service schemes in
the country. The welfare of its citizens is the primary objective of any nation state around the
globe. The monetary resources collected by the way of taxes and investment return by the
government of Canada can be utilized by the way of improving on the social sector services and
medicinal improvement of the country. Thus, in turn, would lead them to fulfill their goal of
furthering the objective of welfarism in the state. Thus, the paper has been successful in
defending the construction of the Trans Mountain Pipeline for political reasons.

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