Pipeline Filibuster

Another angry debate broke out in Ottawa last week on the issue of U.S. investment in Canada (TIME, April 30). It was touched off by a government measure, introduced in Parliament, to lend up to $80 million to Trans-Canada Pipe Lines, Ltd., a company more than 80% owned and controlled by U.S. gas and oil interests headed by Texas Millionaire Clint Murchison. The loan is to be used to build the first leg (Alberta to Winnipeg) of a long-delayed transcontinental natural-gas pipeline.

Opposition Tory and C.C.F. (Socialist) parties, which have been accusing the Liberal government of giving too much leeway to U.S. investors, reacted angrily to the proposal to lend tax funds to a U.S.-controlled firm. Both parties immediately launched a filibuster to delay the bill. The government's main reason for backing the U.S. firm is that Trans-Canada has pipe and equipment on hand to begin work immediately. A national election is expected next year, and the Canadian public, the Liberals believe, is more interested in seeing the long-stalled pipeline built than in worrying about the nationality of the builders.

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