The province of British Columbia has ended years of speculation, telling a federal review panel that it does not support the Northern Gateway pipeline.

In its final written submission to the review panel, the province recommends the $6-billion project should not be approved as it has been proposed by Calgary-based Enbridge.

 In a 99-page submission, the province says  the company has made many commitments to oil spill prevention and response but has not presented any real assurance that it will be able to meet those commitments.

The province also  says the Northern Gateway is not a typical pipeline because it would  transport diluted bitumen from the Alberta oilsands – a substance that is not well understood and which would have a profound effect in the event of a spill.

The review panel will hear final arguments starting next month, and a final report is due to the federal government by the end of the year.