SAINT JOHN, N.B. – Joe Oliver believes there would be tremendous advantages for Atlantic Canada if an oil pipeline were to come east.

Canada’s Natural Resources Minister spoke in favour of the idea after a tour of the Irving Oil refinery today,

The Minister says Canada’s ports can be a gateway to the country’s future prosperity, including the one in Saint John. “We believe the port here in Saint John can serve as a critical hub for oil, gas, and other resource projects and that’s why we believe a pipeline traveling from western Canada to the east coast is in Canada’s national interest.”

While the project is a popular talking point lately, the federal government has not received any request to help move Canadian products west to east.

He joins other west – east pipeline proponents, including Premier David Alward and former New Brunswick premier Frank McKenna.