PRIME Minister Justin Trudeau on Wednesday said that while his government welcomed U.S. President Joe Biden’s commitment to fight climate change, it was disappointed at Biden’s decision to revoke the presidential permit granted for the Keystone XL oil pipeline. However, the government acknowledged the President’s decision to fulfil his election campaign promise on Keystone XL.

Trudeau said in a statement: “I spoke directly with President Biden about the project last November, and Ambassador [Kirsten] Hillman and others in our government made the case to high-level officials in the incoming administration.

“Workers in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and across Canada will always have our support. Canada is the single-largest supplier of energy to the United States, contributing to U.S. energy security and economic competitiveness, and supporting thousands of jobs on both sides of the border.”

Trudeau added: “Despite President Biden’s decision on the project, we would like to welcome other executive orders made today, including the decisions to rejoin the Paris Agreement and the World Health Organization, to place a temporary moratorium on all oil and natural gas leasing activities in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, and to reverse the travel ban on several Muslim-majority countries.

“I look forward to working with President Biden to reduce pollution, combat climate change, fight COVID-19, create middle class jobs, and build back better by supporting a sustainable economic recovery for everyone.”