Richard Neufeld, B.C.’s former energy minister and Canadian Conservative Party senator who presented the motion in support of the Trans Mountain expansion on March 20, 2018 said the motion was passed unanimously and that the federal government now has the ability to push the project through.

"What we are trying to do is continue to put pressure on the Prime Minister to actually do what he says he is going to do and not just say it," Neufeld told Stephen Quinn, host of The Early Edition.

And every member of the Standing Senate Committee on Aboriginal Peoples was away on committee business.

Senator Murray Sinclair, one of the few Indigenous Senators, said. "This was NOT a unanimous vote. There was no plan for a vote to be held and many senators including me, were away from the Chamber attending to other business. A surprise vote was called. I am more resolved than ever to fight this project in the Senate."

For this kind of politics to happen in Canada's Senate, the "body of sober second thought", is incomprehensible.

We live in a democracy where everyone's vote is counted and no one is prevented from voting!

The Senators involved knew full well that some First Nations oppose the Trans Mountain expansion and that at least 35 First Nations support, and are in engaged in, the far superior and much safer competing Eagle Spirit proposal across their lands.

I find that vote by Canada’s Senate not only disappointing and unbecoming but prejudicial to relations with First Nations, and not in the best interests of British Columbians, Albertans and all Canadians.

Mike Priaro, P.Eng.

Calgary

403-281-2156