Occupy the Pipeline Everywhere rally planned Wednesday to oppose Northern Gateway decision
By Nelson Daily Staff
Enbridge Northern Gateway pipeline opponents are lining up to voice their displeasure after the federal government announced its approval of the project Tuesday in Ottawa.
Included in the group against the Enbridge Northern Gateway pipeline, that will carry petroleum and condensate from Bruderheim, Alta., to Kitimat, B.C., is the Kootenays for a Pipeline-Free BC.
“We’re going to do our part in a national outcry against the Enbridge bitumen pipeline and tankers on our coast,” said Kootenays for a Pipeline-Free BC spokesman Keith Wiley.
Kootenays for a Pipeline-Free BC is holding a Occupy the Pipeline Everywhere rally at noon Wednesday at the Chahko Mika Mall.
Wiley said Prime Minister Harper’s Resource Minister Greg Rickford says it will only be approved “if it is safe for the environment” but a tremendous amount of evidence suggests that bringing 11,000 tankers to the Douglas Channel can never be safe.
Wiley added 300 scientists wrote to the government saying the NEB study is flawed and the 209 conditions will not make the pipeline in anyway safe.
“Bitumen pipelines are a turning point issue for Canadians,” Wiley says.
“Stopping the pipeline is the first step in reducing tremendous carbon dioxide pollution from the tar sands. It’s what Canadians have to do as our key part in turning back from runaway climate change.”
Wiley said Canadians are very aware that we need to move to a different energy future, but we have to get our government on side.
“Oil company profits can’t compensate for the tremendous carbon load the tar sands cause,” he said.
“Unfortunately Harper’s government seems to be completely behind whatever the multinational oil corporations want. That’s not what is best for Canadians, or the world.”
In Ottawa, reaction came swift from opposition parties as NDP leader Thomas Mulcair and Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau blasted the decision by the National Energy Board, as both said they would reverse the decision.
Green Party Leader Elizabeth May, environmental groups and First Nations also released statements opposing the decision.
Al Monaco, president and CEO of Enbridge said in a teleconference with reporters that the economic benefits of the pipeline are straightforward, but the company has some work to do in convincing the public.
