Transport Canada Launches Probe of Pipeline Expenses: Globe

Josh Pringle
Monday, September 14, 2009

Transport Minister John Baird has launched an investigation into expenses billed to the Mackenzie Valley pipeline.

The Globe and Mail reports documents obtained through access-to-information requests show $10.7 million in expenses has been billed to the pipeline project since 2004.

The mega-project has been debated for decades, but lacks the financial backing and environmental approvals to start construction.

The Globe says documents show Transport Canada managers insisted employees bill all expenses to a fund for any travel that is loosely in the area of the proposed pipeline.

The Mackenzie Valley pipeline was first proposed a decade ago.