Sarnia's mayor is expressing confidence Ottawa is backing the push to keep Enbridge's Line 5 pipeline operating.
Mike Bradley and other city officials took part in a conference call with Canada's Minister of Natural Resources, Seamus O'Regan Tuesday afternoon.
The mayor said O'Regan is on side.
"He did point out to me that they're going to try and take a 'Team Canada' approach, which has been successful in the past," said Bradley. "One of the delays right now is because of the impeachment hearings on Trump, a number of the cabinet ministers have not been authorized or sworn-in yet. Once that's done this week, they can start dialogue with [former Michigan Governor Jennifer] Granholm, who's the new Energy Secretary."
Mayor Bradley said it's time for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to take the lead now, and while the minister was reassuring Tuesday, he said Sarnia-Lambton has to make sure the feds are held accountable because thousands of jobs are at stake.
"We've got labour across the country, we've got businesses across the country (through the Chambers of Commerce), and agriculture. We've got a very powerful group that's come together to say that this cannot stand."
Mayor Bradley said the Michigan Governor's refusal to even respond to their correspondence on the issue is souring the relationship between the state and the province.
Gretchen Whitmer has revoked the 67-year-old easement allowing Line 5 to operate under the Straits of Mackinac.
Enbridge has said the State’s action violates federal law and it has no intention of shutting the line down. The Calgary-based company said it continues to focus on plans to construct a 6.4-kilometre tunnel to replace the dual lines beneath the straits.
A couple of petitions have been launched in opposition to Michigan's attempt to close Line 5.
-With files from Sue Storr