Gordon Hamilton in the Vancouver Sun writes Business and labour leaders show their support for northern pipeline initiatives

Sixteen business and labour leaders have signed an open letter to British Columbians urging their support for natural gas and oil pipeline proposals across the northern half of the province which they say are needed to link Canada's energy resources and B.C.'s economic future more closely to Asian economies.

The letter marks the first public relations campaign aimed at swaying opinion province-wide towards energy projects in the North. Up until now, only regional support groups have been formed, such as the Enbridge Northern Gateway Alliance, which is actively supporting Enbridge's $5.5 billion Alberta-to-Kitimat pipeline project in communities along the pipeline route.

The letter was written by former federal transportation minister Chuck Strahl. Signatories include former international trade minister David Emerson, the B.C. and Yukon Territory Building and Construction Trades Council, the Business Council of B.C., the Vancouver Board of Trade and the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters the country's largest industrial association.