The Trans Mountain Pipeline

1. Trans Mountain Pipeline
Language circle
Lesson adapted from https://www.cbc.ca/learning-english/trans-mountain-
pipeline-level-2-1.5073658

2. Objectives
• Learn new vocabulary related to oil industry and the
expression of public opinion.
• Discuss questions pertaining to the building of Trans
Mountain Pipeline that will stretch from Alberta to BC.
• Share your opinion on the big project.

3. Learning English with CBC
Screenshot of CBC learning-English website

4. Agenda
1. Speaking
2. Vocabulary
3. Listening
4. Grammar
5. Reading
6. Reflect on learning

5. Speaking

6. What do you know about the
transportation of oil?
1. What is the meaning of “Trans Mountain”?
2. What are some of the ways of moving oil
across the globe?
3. Who will benefit from building a pipeline?

7. Vocabulary

8. an endangered killer whale population an expansion
to be treated equitably long overdue to mitigate the risk
marine life in the back and forth over something
justifiable
1. an enlargement, or extension
2. the life of sea or/and ocean creatures
3. to be treated fairly; as an equal
4. the population of killer whale species that is at risk of
disappearing
5. not having arrived, happened, or been done by the
expected time; needed for a long time
6. reasonable, valid, having a good reason behind it
7. in the discussion, or exchange of opinions on a subject
8. to reduce the risk

9. an endangered killer whale population an expansion
to be treated equitably long overdue to mitigate the risk
marine life in the back and forth over something
justifiable
1. an enlargement, or extension an expansion
2. the life of sea or/and ocean creatures
3. to be treated fairly; as an equal
4. the population of killer whale species that is at risk of
disappearing
5. not having arrived, happened, or been done by the
expected time; needed for a long time
6. reasonable, valid, having a good reason behind it
7. in the discussion, or exchange of opinions on a subject
8. to reduce the risk

10. an endangered killer whale population an expansion
to be treated equitably long overdue to mitigate the risk
marine life in the back and forth over something
justifiable
1. an enlargement, or extension an expansion
2. the life of sea or/and ocean creatures marine life
3. to be treated fairly; as an equal
4. the population of killer whale species that is at risk of
disappearing
5. not having arrived, happened, or been done by the
expected time; needed for a long time
6. reasonable, valid, having a good reason behind it
7. in the discussion, or exchange of opinions on a subject
8. to reduce the risk

11. an endangered killer whale population an expansion
to be treated equitably long overdue to mitigate the risk
marine life in the back and forth over something
justifiable
1. an enlargement, or extension an expansion
2. the life of sea or/and ocean creatures marine life
3. to be treated fairly; as an equal to be treated equitably
4. the population of killer whale species that is at risk of
disappearing
5. not having arrived, happened, or been done by the
expected time; needed for a long time
6. reasonable, valid, having a good reason behind it
7. in the discussion, or exchange of opinions on a subject
8. to reduce the risk

12. an endangered killer whale population an expansion
to be treated equitably long overdue to mitigate the risk
marine life in the back and forth over something
justifiable
1. an enlargement, or extension an expansion
2. the life of sea or/and ocean creatures marine life
3. to be treated fairly; as an equal to be treated equitably
4. the population of killer whale species that is at risk of
disappearing
an endangered killer
whale population
5. not having arrived, happened, or been done by the
expected time; needed for a long time
6. reasonable, valid, having a good reason behind it
7. in the discussion, or exchange of opinions on a subject
8. to reduce the risk

13. an endangered killer whale population an expansion
to be treated equitably long overdue to mitigate the risk
marine life in the back and forth over something
justifiable
1. an enlargement, or extension an expansion
2. the life of sea or/and ocean creatures marine life
3. to be treated fairly; as an equal to be treated equitably
4. the population of killer whale species that is at risk of
disappearing
an endangered killer
whale population
5. not having arrived, happened, or been done by the
expected time; needed for a long time
long overdue
6. reasonable, valid, having a good reason behind it
7. in the discussion, or exchange of opinions on a subject
8. to reduce the risk

14. an endangered killer whale population an expansion
to be treated equitably long overdue to mitigate the risk
marine life in the back and forth over something
justifiable
1. an enlargement, or extension an expansion
2. the life of sea or/and ocean creatures marine life
3. to be treated fairly; as an equal to be treated equitably
4. the population of killer whale species that is at risk of
disappearing
an endangered killer
whale population
5. not having arrived, happened, or been done by the
expected time; needed for a long time
long overdue
6. reasonable, valid, having a good reason behind it justifiable
7. in the discussion, or exchange of opinions on a subject
8. to reduce the risk

15. an endangered killer whale population an expansion
to be treated equitably long overdue to mitigate the risk
marine life in the back and forth over something
justifiable
1. an enlargement, or extension an expansion
2. the life of sea or/and ocean creatures marine life
3. to be treated fairly; as an equal to be treated equitably
4. the population of killer whale species that is at risk of
disappearing
an endangered killer
whale population
5. not having arrived, happened, or been done by the
expected time; needed for a long time
long overdue
6. reasonable, valid, having a good reason behind it justifiable
7. in the discussion, or exchange of opinions on a subject in the back and forth over
something
8. to reduce the risk

16. an endangered killer whale population an expansion
to be treated equitably long overdue to mitigate the risk
marine life in the back and forth over something
justifiable
1. an enlargement, or extension an expansion
2. the life of sea or/and ocean creatures marine life
3. to be treated fairly; as an equal to be treated equitably
4. the population of killer whale species that is at risk of
disappearing
an endangered killer
whale population
5. not having arrived, happened, or been done by the
expected time; needed for a long time
long overdue
6. reasonable, valid, having a good reason behind it justifiable
7. in the discussion, or exchange of opinions on a subject in the back and forth over
something
8. to reduce the risk to mitigate the risk

17. LISTENING

18. Listening
• Let’s listen to the “Trans Mountain
Pipeline" by Learning English with CBC.
https://www.cbc.ca/learning-english/trans-
mountain-pipeline-level-2-1.5073658

19. Listening for details
True/False
1. The prospective pipeline will increase the flow of oil from Alberta
to the Pacific Coast.
2. BC opposes the project because it could mean the endangerment
of marine life.
3. The National Energy Board called the project justifiable, but
imposed 156 conditions to mitigate the risk.
4. The people in Alberta are against the oil pipeline because the
industry is doing well without it.
5. The premier of Alberta says they are unsure whether the pipeline
will be built or not.
6. If the pipeline project is approved, developments will take months
and even years before the pipeline is finally built.
7. At this point Alberta keeps all the oil because there is no way to
transport it to British Columbia.
8. According to research, pipelines are the most efficient and the
most environmentally secure way to move petroleum products.
9. Whether the project is approved or not, it will affect the elections.

20. Listening for details
True/False
1. The prospective pipeline will increase the flow of oil from Alberta
to the Pacific Coast.
T
2. BC opposes the project because it could mean the endangerment
of marine life.
3. The National Energy Board called the project justifiable, but
imposed 156 conditions to mitigate the risk.
4. The people in Alberta are against the oil pipeline because the
industry is doing well without it.
5. The premier of Alberta says they are unsure whether the pipeline
will be built or not.
6. If the pipeline project is approved, developments will take months
and even years before the pipeline is finally built.
7. At this point Alberta keeps all the oil because there is no way to
transport it to British Columbia.
8. According to research, pipelines are the most efficient and the
most environmentally secure way to move petroleum products.
9. Whether the project is approved or not, it will affect the elections.

21. Listening for details
True/False
1. The prospective pipeline will increase the flow of oil from Alberta
to the Pacific Coast.
T
2. BC opposes the project because it could mean the endangerment
of marine life.
T
3. The National Energy Board called the project justifiable, but
imposed 156 conditions to mitigate the risk.
4. The people in Alberta are against the oil pipeline because the
industry is doing well without it.
5. The premier of Alberta says they are unsure whether the pipeline
will be built or not.
6. If the pipeline project is approved, developments will take months
and even years before the pipeline is finally built.
7. At this point Alberta keeps all the oil because there is no way to
transport it to British Columbia.
8. According to research, pipelines are the most efficient and the
most environmentally secure way to move petroleum products.
9. Whether the project is approved or not, it will affect the elections.

22. Listening for details
True/False
1. The prospective pipeline will increase the flow of oil from Alberta
to the Pacific Coast.
T
2. BC opposes the project because it could mean the endangerment
of marine life.
T
3. The National Energy Board called the project justifiable, but
imposed 156 conditions to mitigate the risk.
T
4. The people in Alberta are against the oil pipeline because the
industry is doing well without it.
5. The premier of Alberta says they are unsure whether the pipeline
will be built or not.
6. If the pipeline project is approved, developments will take months
and even years before the pipeline is finally built.
7. At this point Alberta keeps all the oil because there is no way to
transport it to British Columbia.
8. According to research, pipelines are the most efficient and the
most environmentally secure way to move petroleum products.
9. Whether the project is approved or not, it will affect the elections.

23. Listening for details
True/False
1. The prospective pipeline will increase the flow of oil from Alberta
to the Pacific Coast.
T
2. BC opposes the project because it could mean the endangerment
of marine life.
T
3. The National Energy Board called the project justifiable, but
imposed 156 conditions to mitigate the risk.
T
4. The people in Alberta are against the oil pipeline because the
industry is doing well without it.
F
5. The premier of Alberta says they are unsure whether the pipeline
will be built or not.
6. If the pipeline project is approved, developments will take months
and even years before the pipeline is finally built.
7. At this point Alberta keeps all the oil because there is no way to
transport it to British Columbia.
8. According to research, pipelines are the most efficient and the
most environmentally secure way to move petroleum products.
9. Whether the project is approved or not, it will affect the elections.

24. Listening for details
True/False
1. The prospective pipeline will increase the flow of oil from Alberta
to the Pacific Coast.
T
2. BC opposes the project because it could mean the endangerment
of marine life.
T
3. The National Energy Board called the project justifiable, but
imposed 156 conditions to mitigate the risk.
T
4. The people in Alberta are against the oil pipeline because the
industry is doing well without it.
F
5. The premier of Alberta says they are unsure whether the pipeline
will be built or not.
F
6. If the pipeline project is approved, developments will take months
and even years before the pipeline is finally built.
7. At this point Alberta keeps all the oil because there is no way to
transport it to British Columbia.
8. According to research, pipelines are the most efficient and the
most environmentally secure way to move petroleum products.
9. Whether the project is approved or not, it will affect the elections.

25. Listening for details
True/False
1. The prospective pipeline will increase the flow of oil from Alberta
to the Pacific Coast.
T
2. BC opposes the project because it could mean the endangerment
of marine life.
T
3. The National Energy Board called the project justifiable, but
imposed 156 conditions to mitigate the risk.
T
4. The people in Alberta are against the oil pipeline because the
industry is doing well without it.
F
5. The premier of Alberta says they are unsure whether the pipeline
will be built or not.
F
6. If the pipeline project is approved, developments will take months
and even years before the pipeline is finally built.
T
7. At this point Alberta keeps all the oil because there is no way to
transport it to British Columbia.
8. According to research, pipelines are the most efficient and the
most environmentally secure way to move petroleum products.
9. Whether the project is approved or not, it will affect the elections.

26. Listening for details
True/False
1. The prospective pipeline will increase the flow of oil from Alberta
to the Pacific Coast.
T
2. BC opposes the project because it could mean the endangerment
of marine life.
T
3. The National Energy Board called the project justifiable, but
imposed 156 conditions to mitigate the risk.
T
4. The people in Alberta are against the oil pipeline because the
industry is doing well without it.
F
5. The premier of Alberta says they are unsure whether the pipeline
will be built or not.
F
6. If the pipeline project is approved, developments will take months
and even years before the pipeline is finally built.
T
7. At this point Alberta keeps all the oil because there is no way to
transport it to British Columbia.
F
8. According to research, pipelines are the most efficient and the
most environmentally secure way to move petroleum products.
9. Whether the project is approved or not, it will affect the elections.

27. Listening for details
True/False
1. The prospective pipeline will increase the flow of oil from Alberta
to the Pacific Coast.
T
2. BC opposes the project because it could mean the endangerment
of marine life.
T
3. The National Energy Board called the project justifiable, but
imposed 156 conditions to mitigate the risk.
T
4. The people in Alberta are against the oil pipeline because the
industry is doing well without it.
F
5. The premier of Alberta says they are unsure whether the pipeline
will be built or not.
F
6. If the pipeline project is approved, developments will take months
and even years before the pipeline is finally built.
T
7. At this point Alberta keeps all the oil because there is no way to
transport it to British Columbia.
F
8. According to research, pipelines are the most efficient and the
most environmentally secure way to move petroleum products.
T
9. Whether the project is approved or not, it will affect the elections.

28. Listening for details
True/False
1. The prospective pipeline will increase the flow of oil from Alberta
to the Pacific Coast.
T
2. BC opposes the project because it could mean the endangerment
of marine life.
T
3. The National Energy Board called the project justifiable, but
imposed 156 conditions to mitigate the risk.
T
4. The people in Alberta are against the oil pipeline because the
industry is doing well without it.
F
5. The premier of Alberta says they are unsure whether the pipeline
will be built or not.
F
6. If the pipeline project is approved, developments will take months
and even years before the pipeline is finally built.
T
7. At this point Alberta keeps all the oil because there is no way to
transport it to British Columbia.
F
8. According to research, pipelines are the most efficient and the
most environmentally secure way to move petroleum products.
T
9. Whether the project is approved or not, it will affect the elections. T

29. Grammar

30. The Use of Subjunctive to
Express Suggestions
• Suggestions use the verbs to suggest, insist,
recommend, demand, request, advise, ask,
command, desire, insist, order, prefer, and propose
followed by a that clause and a verb in the
subjunctive mood. The English subjunctive
expresses something desired, imagined, and not
certain to happen.
• For example, we use the subjunctive when talking
about events that somebody:
wants to happen
anticipates will happen
imagines happening

31. The Use of Subjunctive to Express
Suggestions
Ex.: The federal court demanded (that) it take a
second look at the Trans Mountain pipeline project.
• The form of the base subjunctive is extremely
simple. For all verbs and all persons, the form is
the base of the verb, for example: be, have, take,
look, go, etc.
• Note that the subjunctive does not change at all
according to person (I, you, he, etc).
• 'That' and 'should' are optional in these clauses.

32. The Use of Subjunctive to
Express Suggestions
Ex.:
• The people in Alberta insist that the Trans
Mountain pipeline should be built.
• The people in Alberta insist that the Trans
Mountain pipeline be built.
• The people in Alberta insist the Trans Mountain
pipeline should be built.
• The people in Alberta insist the Trans Mountain
pipeline be built.

33. The Use of Subjunctive to Express
Suggestions
Note: The people in Alberta insist the Trans
Mountain pipeline is built. – Incorrect!
The people in Alberta insist the Trans Mountain
pipeline be built. – Correct!
More examples:
• The National Energy Board requires that 156
conditions (should) be imposed.
• The general public demands (that) Alberta
(should) be treated equitably.
• The government advises marine life be
protected.

34. The Use of Subjunctive to
Express Suggestions
• Your turn:

35. Reading

36. Alberta starts new ad campaign for
troubled Trans Mountain pipeline
The Alberta government is launching a new
multimedia advertising campaign to get
political approval for the troubled Trans Mountain
Pipeline expansion.
Alberta Energy Minister Sonya Savage announced
the "yes to TMX" campaign at a news conference in
Ottawa Wednesday morning.
*TMX – Trans Mountain Expansion
Adapted from https://https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/alberta-energy-sonya-
savage-trans-mountain-pipeline-ottawa-1.5153903

37. Alberta starts new ad campaign for
troubled Trans Mountain pipeline
"Our campaign will reinforce this message across the
country. It's time for a firm decision on Trans
Mountain pipeline. It's time for a 'yes'."
The Liberal government, which purchased the project
for $4.5 billion, encountered a challenge last summer
when the federal court reversed its initial cabinet
approval of the expanded pipeline.
Adapted from https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/alberta-energy-sonya-savage-
trans-mountain-pipeline-ottawa-1.5153903

38. Alberta starts new ad campaign for
troubled Trans Mountain pipeline
It forced Ottawa to start over on Indigenous
consultation and marine-related environmental
assessment.
“Investors have been pulling out of Alberta because
of government regulation," Savage said. Efforts are
made to ensure new pipelines are built and the
energy sector is reinvigorated following a steep
downturn.
Adapted from
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/alberta-energy-sonya-
savage-trans-mountain-pipeline-ottawa-1.5153903

39. Discussion
1. What are the main issues that prevent the
government from approving the Trans Mountain
pipeline project?
2. What is the stand of the people in Alberta on
this subject?

40. Reflect on
Learning

41. What did you learn today?
1. Do you think the proposed pipeline will
improve the economical situation in oil
industry and Canada overall?
2. Would you vote for or against the
advancement of the Trans Mountain Pipeline
project?
3. What’s your opinion of the Trans Mountain
Pipeline project? Please explain.

42. Homework
• Go to the CBC Lesson on
• https://www.cbc.ca/learning-english/trans-
mountain-pipeline-level-2-1.5073658
• Work on other skills in the lesson

44. Date or Other Description Goes Here
See you next time!