The first full week of the federal election campaign is underway and one of the most polarizing topics is the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion project.

Speaking on the NL Morning News, Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo Liberal candidate Terry Lake pointed out the pipeline expansion is the safest way to transport oil. “Having that pipeline built through Kamloops, people here support it for many, many reasons.”

“One of which of course is trying to eliminate or at least reduce the number of rail cars going through our city everyday filled with oil.”

Lake also spoke of his party’s commitment to TMX. “Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the Liberal party have got this pipeline closer than any other government. And, we see the stacks of pipe just west of town here that are ready to go in the ground once we get over this latest hurdle and we are committed.”

Lake also reiterated the Liberals are also committed to the environment. “The government bought the pipeline for four and a half billion dollars, invested another one point six billion dollars to help energy companies in Alberta become more efficient and it’s part of a comprehensive climate action plan that limits emissions from the oil sands, as a national price on carbon. And a one and a half billion dollars ocean protection plan to make our coast safer.”

Running against Lake is Conservative candidate and incumbent MP Cathy McLeod, the Green Party’s Iain Currie, Ken Finlayson with the People’s Party of Canada, Kira Cheeseborough with the Animal Protection Party of Canada, and Peter Kerek with the Communist Party of Canada.