Two online petitions have been launched against Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer's attempted shutdown of Enbridge's Line 5 pipeline.
The line, which runs between Sarnia and Superior, Wisconsin, carries oil and natural gas liquids used in propane to industries in the city, and elsewhere in the province and Quebec.
Sarnia-Lambton Chamber of Commerce CEO Allan Calvert said if it gets closed, the impact to our area's employment would be devastating.
He calls the pipeline a "vital artery" for economics and economic security in the region.
"If the tap was turned off the effect, would not only be on employees in Sarnia and Lambton County, but on every individual that is employed relative to that industry and on the family behind that individual. There are businesses in the community that are supported by these families. The ripple effects are truly unbelievable."
Calvert said Line 5 also provides all of the aviation fuel to the Toronto and Detroit airports.
He said they also have support against shutting down the line from Michigan residents because many of them rely on propane for home heating that comes from Sarnia refineries.
Enbridge has said a disruption of Line 5 would create a propane shortage, higher energy prices, and cause a daily shortage of over 14 million gallons of gasoline and other transportation fuels, impacting the entire region.
On Friday, Michigan's environmental agency gave the green light for construction of a 6.4 kilometre underground tunnel to house a replacement for Line 5 under the Straits of Mackinac. Enbridge said it's investing about $500-million into the project.
The petitions can be found here (https://slchamber.ca/enbridge-line-5-petition-to-prime-minister/) and here (https://www.change.org/p/canadians-stop-michigan-from-closing-enbridge-line-5-pipeline).
A full page Line 5 ad appeared in the Globe & Mail over the weekend on behalf of more than 40 unions, organizations, and municipalities.
It said the pipeline is critical to Canada and called on the federal government to engage its U.S. counterparts to find a solution that will avoid an energy crisis during the pandemic.
Those signing the open letter include the City of Sarnia, County of Lambton, the chamber of commerce, and various agricultural groups, unions and construction trades from across the country.
Canadians are urged in the ad to reach out to their elected representatives if they feel Line 5 should stay open.
Both MP Marilyn Gladu and MPP Bob Bailey released statements calling again on Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer to reconsider her decision to try to shut down Line 5.
With files from Dave Dentinger
