OTTAWA -- Just as the federal government sets a drop-deadline for the national energy review panel to consider Enbridge's Northern Gateway pipeline, Heritage Minister James Moore became the first cabinet member to publicly express doubt and criticism of the project.

"This project will not survive public scrutiny unless Enbridge takes far more seriously their obligation to engage the public and to answer those very legitimate questions about the way in which they've operated their business in the very recent past," Moore told a radio station in Vancouver Wednesday.

Two days later, the government told the review panel it has until the end of 2013 to draw conclusions about the project. Ultimately the decision on the Northern Gateway will be made by cabinet which, until last week, appeared unified in its support for it.

The government has made the development of Albertan oil a priority, as well as expanding export markets beyond America. The proposed pipeline would bring crude oil from Alberta to B.C., then on to China.

A spokesperson for the prime minister said "the government's policy is for the responsible development of Canada's natural resources."

READ MORE: Northern Gateway could go north, NWT premier says

"It is in Canada's national interest to diversify the export markets for our energy and natural resources," Andrew MacDougall said in an e-mail.

Upon hearing about Moore's comments on the pipeline, Stewart Phillip, grand chief of the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs, was pleasantly surprised.

"Look who just caught up," he told QMI Agency.

Criticism of the pipeline has also come from south of the border. The U.S. energy regulator has chastised Enbridge over oil spills there.

B.C. Premier Christy Clark has loudly opposed the project as well, demanding both royalties as well as guarantees on environmental protections if the project goes through.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper will travel to B.C. next week where he is expected to address Moore's comments as well as the concerns of B.C. voters.

Of B.C.'s 36 federal seats, 21 are currently held by Conservatives.