As Canada's Asia-Pacific gateway, the economic growth we expect to have here in the future is going to be based on commerce with the Asia-Pacific region and we think it's important that we continue to diversify our exports through this province."

But Harper rejected any suggestion that the $6-billion project is a done deal as far as his Conservative government is concerned.

"I've been very clear that decisions on these kinds of projects are made through an independent evaluation conducted by scientists into the economic costs and risks that are associated with the project, and that's how we conduct our business," Harper told reporters.

He said his government has already invested in environment surveillance and mitigation of environmental risk, and will make further investments in the future, though he offered no specifics and took only a few questions from the contingent of media waiting to question the prime minister on the pipeline issue.

"I think that's the only way that government can handle controversial projects of this manner, is to ensure that things are evaluated on an independent basis, scientifically, and not simply on political criteria."