OTTAWA — Natural Resources Minister Joe Oliver said the Canadian government is hopeful the United States will do the “right thing” and approve TransCanada Corp.’s Keystone XL pipeline.

Oliver told reporters in Ottawa Thursday that approving the pipeline is in the best interests of the United States.

Thousands of protesters marched around the White House earlier this month in opposition to the Keystone XL pipeline, which environmental groups say would worsen the risks of climate change by encouraging development of Alberta’s oil sands.

The project would cross six states and link Alberta’s oil sands to refineries along the Gulf Coast.

The State Department is reviewing the pipeline because it crosses an international border. Secretary of State John Kerry has said that the review would be completed soon.