MP for the Foothills John Barlow says the federal government needs to show leadership with Energy East. He says the government needs to get involved for the good of the whole country.

"We are seeing that East versus West dialogue start to really heat up. This is a project that is not only critical for Alberta, but this is a project that is going to benefit Canadians across the country. When we talk about vital pieces of infrastructure like Energy East, these are projects that will help build the nation. This is going to provide jobs from Alberta, Saskachewan, all the way to New Brunswick."

Barlow says they're not asking the federal government to rubber stamp anything, but have asked them to support energy east if it passes the national energy board's regulatory regime. So far, he says the government has not done that, which adds uncertainty to the industry. He says they needs to stand up for Alberta.

"When Quebec comes out and says 'we're going to put a court injunction on Energy East,' they need to step in and say 'hey, this something that is not necessarily your juristiction.' We can not have them just stand idly by and watch different regions gang up on Alberta, and that's really what we're seeing right now."

He says the federal government has annouced that they may delay the project as far as September, which will continue to let regional politics get in the way.

"The longer that there is lack of action on this, we're going to see more and more of this heated debate. And I think we have to get emotions out of this and there has to be a meeting of the minds here. People have to understand how important this is and we can't delay this any longer."

Barlow says the project will not only create jobs, but will be an economic benefit of 50 billion dollars.