Three local organizations have come together to raise awareness of the controversial l,l77 kilometre Enbridge Gateway pipeline proposal from the Alberta tar sands to the West Coast port of Kitimat tar sands.
KAIROS Salmon Arm, the Shuswap Okanagan NDP and the Shuswap Environmental Action Society (SEAS) sponsor a public forum at 7 p.m. Feb. 29 in the hall at First United Church.
“The tar sands are a monumental environmental disaster that are spewing massive amounts of pollution into the air and water, and are rapidly increasing Canada’s CO2 emissions,” says SEAS president Jim Cooperman. “Expanding this development will only exacerbate the problems.”
Organizers will show several videos about the pipelines and the tar sands, as well as a PowerPoint presentation and time for discussion.
“The pipeline poses major threats to northern First Nations communities, as well as to the livelihoods of all those who depend on clean water and healthy ecosystems,” says Anne Morris of KAIROS Salmon Arm, a church-based organization that works on environmental and social justice issues. “It is no wonder that every B.C. First Nation is opposed to the pipeline,”
Recently 130 First Nations chiefs signed the Fraser Declaration opposing the pipeline. As well, the Union of BC Municipalities passed two resolutions at its 2011 convention opposing tanker traffic on the West Coast and the proposed pipeline.
“There is a growing awareness that B.C. would have to absorb all the environmental risks of this project, including jeopardizing its fishery and tourism industries,” adds Morris.
Nick Hodge, president of the Okanagan Shuswap NDP Riding Association, says the project does not meet the criteria for sustainable development.
“Subsidies which now support oil sands development should be redirected,” he said, noting the Alberta Federation of Labour opposes the pipeline project and told the review panel, the Northern Gateway Pipeline is not in the public interest because it would result in the loss of tens of thousands of potential jobs in upgrading, refining and petro-chemical production. And former ICBC CEO, Robyn Allen warns the pipeline would result in higher fuel costs to Canadians.
“The recent attempt by the Harper government to label those opposed to the pipeline as American-funded, radical traitors has backfired, as many people see this misguided effort as a devious way to hide the fact that the proposed project is being funded through hundreds of millions of dollars by foreign oil companies, including the massive Chinese Sinopec oil company,” added Cooperman.
Everyone is welcome to attend this free event.
For more information, call Ann Morris at 250-833-5773, Jim Cooperman at 250-679-3693, or Nick Hodge at 250-542-4048.
