Trudeau has far more political capital available.    That's the key here.    It's also something Harper never understood.     You say Trudeau has done nothing , yet he has actually met with all of the Provinces, which already means more than Harper.     Political capital is earned.

It remains to be see no if Trudeau has enough to actually get these pipelines built and if he does, whether there's enough left for Energy East - but at least he is willing to risk support to make a tough decision.