An educational forum on Enbridge Northern Gateway’s proposed pipeline project will be taking place in town tomorrow.
The moderated meeting, co-sponsored by the City of Terrace, the Terrace Economic Development Authority and the Terrace and District Labour Council, is being put on to provide more information on the proposed $5.5 billion twin pipeline project that would transport oil and condensate between Alberta and a marine terminal in Kitimat.
There are four panellists are lined up to help the public gain more understanding from a First Nations perspective, economic development, the environment, and Enbridge itself.
Kitsumkalum treaty negotiator Gerald Wesley, mayor of Dawson Creek Mike Bernier, former Pembina Institute policy analyst Greg Brown, and Enbridge official Morgan Yates will speak for 15 minutes each.
The remaining hour is meant for the public to ask questions, and they are asked to direct questions towards a guest on the panel and not the members of the audience. Questions must be asked within the allotted 30 seconds and panelists will have up to two minutes to respond.
This public education forum has taken months to organize; Enbridge had originally be asked by the city last spring to participate in the forum, but the company declined saying it has provided many opportunities for information and cited worries over opponents disrupting the event.
But now Enbridge officals are saying that the company is pleased with the work done by the City of Terrace to ensure that people interested in learning more about the project will attend.
Local RCMP will be present at the forum.
Detachment Inspector Eric Stubbs explained that anytime there is a public event where a large group of people will be present, be it Hockeyville or Shell’s coalbed methane open house, the police will have some level of presence.
He’s expecting a smooth event, but says the police will be monitoring the situation.
Doors open tomorrow at 6 p.m. at the REM Lee Theatre, with the event running from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
