QuickSketch of Montreal Mayor Denis Coderre

– Coderre on Energy East pipeline.

The announcement prompted a sharp political rebuke from the Opposition in Alberta. “At the end of the day, it’s all about our territory”, he said, arguing that the alleged environmental dangers outweigh the potential economic benefits to the city.

The 4,600-kilometer west-to-east oil pipeline project would see 1,600 kilometres of new pipe built along the St. Lawrence River in Quebec and in New Brunswick.

The discussion over the Energy East pipeline threatens to become just what Notley is trying to avoid: an emotional yelling match between the East and the West. Coderre is not adding to a rational debate.

Trevor McLeod, director of the centre for natural resources policy at the Canada West Foundation, said the sub-national pipeline spat is frustrating to watch when there are bigger issues to deal with – like the US going from Canada’s biggest customer to its biggest competitor.

Jean said the project “will benefit all of Canada and will improve our GDP by $55 billion”.

On Friday, Alberta Premier Rachel Notley met with Ontario’s Kathleen Wynne at Queen’s Park in Toronto to discuss a number of topics, including the project that would pump Alberta oil to the east coast.

– Coderre’s response to Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall, who called it sad that Quebec leaders would be so “parochial” about a project that would benefit all of Canada. “Montreal buys millions of barrels of foreign oil from dictatorships, but it is rejecting oil from their friends in confederation – it’s disgraceful!”

“Likewise with the economy….If we want to be strong as a country then we’ve got to find a way to tackle these very challenging problems”.

The project would include existing TransCanada (TSX:TRP) pipeline as far east as Montreal, plus new pipeline to be constructed through Quebec.

However, the Liberal party’s campaign co-chair Dan Gagnier stepped down late in last year’s election campaign after it was revealed he was advising TransCanada on how to lobby the new government on Energy East.

“It is beneficial to all Canadians”, Notley said.

In December, TransCanada filed an amended application to remove an export terminal in Quebec – one of two originally planned for the project – because of opposition by environmentalists.

Notley addressed Coderre’s comments on Friday, and said she was disappointed with them. In 2015, the company announced scores of layoffs following an 18-month long slump in oil prices, and in November U.S. President Barack Obama vetoed the company’s long-disputed Keystone XL pipeline.

In Davos, Switzerland, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau encouraged everyone to work together.

Trudeau has previously expressed support for both the Energy East and Trans Mountain projects, although recently his government has taken a backseat as provincial, municipal and aboriginal governments have bickered over regional benefits.