West Coast opposition to Enbridge grows

Throughout this year, the opposition to Enbridge’s proposed Northern Gateway project has continued to grow. Specifically on the West Coast, environmental groups, First Nations groups, residents, and politicians are voicing their concern with the proposed project that would carry 525,000 barrels of oil a day from the Alberta oil sands to the coastal city of Kitimat.

The B.C New Democrat caucus have officially stated their opposition. The entire caucus signed an 11-page letter to the National Energy Board’s Joint Review Panel, stating that “under the Enbridge proposal, British Columbia would assume almost all the project’s risk, yet would see only a fraction of the benefits. By any measure, such a high-risk, low-return approach simply isn’t in B.C.’s interests.” The letter outlines their concerns such as lack of long term jobs, the uncertainty and risk that First Nations communities will face, environmental risk, and increased oil prices for Canadian.

Furthermore, First Nations groups across Canada are standing together to stand up against big oil. On May 9, the Yinka Dene Alliance of Indigenous groups arrived in Toronto on the freedom train to stand in protest of the Northern Gateway project with hundreds of others at Enbridge’s annual general meeting. Chants of “No Pipelines, no tankers, no problem” could be heard as concerned students, faith groups, socialists and other participants stood in solidarity with the Yinka Dene.

Their cross-country train journey, Freedom Train, stopped at various Canadian cities to gather support, and spread awareness of the Northern Gateway project. Here in Vancouver ForestEthics delivered their latest batch of over 5000 signed postcards opposing the project to the CEO of Enbridge corporation.