TransCanada President and CEO Russ Girling announces the new Energy East Pipeline during a news conference in Calgary, Alberta in this August 1, 2013 file photo.TODD KOROL/Reuters
A coalition of business groups and unions in Quebec is coming out in favour of TransCanada's Energy East pipeline project.
Representatives from several business federations and two large unions said today the pipeline will bring much needed economic development and jobs to the province.
The announcement comes just days before the National Energy Board holds hearings about the pipeline on Monday in Montreal.
Michel Trepanier, president of a large union of construction workers, says his members could benefit for five years from projects related to the pipeline.
The Energy East project is a 4,500-kilometre pipeline that would see crude oil transported from Alberta to Eastern Canada.
It has become controversial in Quebec with many politicians and activists coming out against the project due to environmental concerns.
Hearings are in Montreal all next week and in Quebec City the week of Oct. 3.