Correspondence from Dogwood Volunteer re: Stand up for BC

March 18, 2014Pages 63–675 sections

A letter from a volunteer with the Dogwood Initiative requesting permission to gather signatures for a petition against crude oil tanker expansion.

1 CALL TO ORDER

February 28, 2014Jane DevonshireConcerns regarding Northern Gateway and Kinder Morgan pipelinesIncludes a 'Pledge to Stop the Expansion' form and a petition for Southern Resident Killer Whales

242 Glenairlie Drive Victoria, BC V9B1K3 February 28, 2014

Dear Honourable Mayor and Council,

As you know, the future of BC's beautiful pristine coastlines will be at greater risk of oil spills should the Federal and Provincial Governments allow the Enbridge Northern Gateway Pipeline and Kinder Morgan's Transmountain Pipelines to go ahead. I purposefully moved here from Alberta over 25 years ago because I was so in love with BC and all its breathtaking wilderness. I want my children and my grandchildren to be able to enjoy this priceless treasure for generations to come.

I am asking if the TOVR would stand and take action with the 131 First Nations, the 70 BC Municipalities, and the many businesses and coastal communities who say yes to our 45,000 jobs that rely on our clean coastal waters, yes to the shellfish industry, yes to the fishing industry, yes to the recreation industry and yes to our tourism industry all of which bring in over 5 billion dollars a year to our economy.

The Dogwood Initiative, a grassroots, BC focused organization along with a coalition of other environmental groups is mobilizing to form a united front called "Stand Up for BC." If Premier Clark is pressured by the Federal Government to break her promise to stand up for BC, we, the people of the province are prepared to launch a "Citizen's Initiative," something akin to what was done with the HST referendum. When 2 out of 3 British Columbians say yes we want to protect our cherished coastline, we need the politicians to stop and listen to us. We need to reclaim our democracy.

May I ask for your blessing to set up a table at any upcoming TOVR events to gather signatures of those concerned citizens who wish to stand up for BC. We need to identify as many supporters as possible in advance. Once the Initiative is launched (anticipating the Feds will approve in June and Premier Clark will acquiesce shortly thereafter), we have just 12 weeks to amass the signatures of 10% of the registered voters in every riding in BC. To make sure we hit our targets, we are actually aiming for 15%. I have enclosed a copy of the Dogwood Initiative's pledge form. It is not a pledge for money but rather that people will pledge to stand up for BC by signing the official Citizen's Initiative when it is launched. Running concurrently with this is MP Randall Garrison's private members bill asking Parliament to protect our Southern Resident Killer Whales. May I be so bold as to ask your permission to run this at the same time. It strengthens our campaign. Any support you could send our way would be greatly appreciated. Together we can protect our coastline. Thank you for your kind attention.

Respectfully yours,

Jane Devonshire Dogwood Volunteer

Page 63–67

Trans Mountain Oil Spill Study

Map showing shoreline oiled probability from a stochastic simulation of a 16,500 m³ oil spill at Site D in Winter 2011

Stochastic Simulation Winter 2011, Site D (16,500 m³) Shoreline Oiled Probability

Probability for Shore to be Oiled (%)
95
90
80
60
40
20
10
5
1

Notes: Statistical results based on independent spills occurring every 6 hours from January 01 00:00 to March 31 23:00. Probability of oil presence is the percentage of simulations in which oil was present at a given location. Tracking time for each spill was 15 days.

Project Data:

Project No.: V13203022
Date: October 4, 2013
Figure D.1-3

Page 63–67

Trans Mountain Oil Spill Study

Map showing shoreline time to first contact from a stochastic simulation of a 16,500 m³ oil spill at Site D in Winter 2011

Stochastic Simulation Winter 2011, Site D (16,500 m³) Shoreline Time to First Contact

Time to First Contact (days)
10.0
8.0
6.0
4.0
2.0
0.0

Notes: Statistical results based on independent spills occurring every 6 hours from January 01 00:00 to March 31 23:00. Shoreline contact is the minimum time, over all simulations, for oil to reach a given shore segment. Tracking time for each spill was 15 days.

Project Data:

Project No.: V13203022
Figure D.1-4

Page 63–67

Pledge to Stop the Expansion of Crude Oil Tanker Traffic Through B.C.'s Coastal Waters

Proposals by Enbridge, Kinder Morgan and CN Rail to expand crude oil tanker traffic through B.C.'s coastal waters would expose our coast and economy to unacceptable risk. A single Exxon Valdez-like spill would threaten coastal communities and economies, entire cultures, and a spectacular diversity of life. More than 130 First Nation communities have banned these types of projects via the Coastal First Nations and Save the Fraser declarations. Seventy B.C. municipalities, hundreds of local businesses and the majority of British Columbians oppose expanding crude oil tanker traffic. If federal and provincial governments push these proposals forward, British Columbians may have no other recourse but to launch a citizen's initiative.

I pledge to support a citizen's initiative to limit expansion of crude oil tanker traffic on our coast if Ottawa pushes for approval and Premier Clark does not stand up for B.C. as promised.

Pledge form to stop the expansion of crude oil tanker traffic through B.C.'s coastal waters

NAME (please print clearly)	PHONE NUMBER	IS THIS A CELL?	EMAIL	STREET ADDRESS	CITY	POSTAL CODE	SIGNATURE	REGISTERED VOTER?	WANT TO DO MORE?

Page 63–67

Petition Calling on the Government of Canada to Protect Southern Resident Killer Whales

WE, THE UNDERSIGNED, residents of Canada, draw the attention of the House to the following: THAT the survival of Southern Resident Killer Whales in the Salish Sea is threatened by pollution, habitat disturbances and the decline of Chinook Salmon stocks; THAT the member for Esquimalt-Juan de Fuca has put forward a motion (M-460) to protect this iconic species under the Species at Risk Act; THAT motion M-460 proposes an action plan to decrease chemical pollution in the Salish Sea, to limit sonic and other disturbances in critical habitat, to increase the quality and abundance of Chinook salmon stocks, and to continue monitoring, education and outreach programs; and THEREFORE we call upon all members of the House to support motion M-460 to provide urgent protection to Southern Resident Killer Whales.

	Signature	Printed Name	Address	Postal Code	Email (optional)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25

Page 63–67

Document Images

(1)

Extracted from: 2014 03 18 Council Agenda