SPEAKING POINTS TO THE MOTION - Trans Mountain Expansion Project

SPEAKING POINTS TO THE MOTION

The Trans Mountain Expansion Project, if approved, would triple the Trans Mountain pipeline capacity and increase oil tanker traffic almost seven-fold through the Strait of Juan de Fuca (890,000 barrels per day). An increase in groundings, accidents, incidents, leaks and oil spills would be inevitable.

Transport Canada and numerous expert studies have confirmed the subsequent risk of an oil spill would be “very high” off southern Vancouver Island, which would have a disastrous effect on local jobs, marine life, property values, and tourism/recreation in the Sooke region (see attached article).

The cities of Victoria, Vancouver, Burnaby and New Westminster have publicly challenged the credibility of the NEB review process, the most recent example being the NEB’s refusal to release Kinder Morgan’s full oil spill response documents as requested by the Province.

Marc Eliesen, former CEO of BC Hydro, has withdrawn as an intervenor citing a fraudulent and undemocratic review process (see attached interview). MLA and intervenor, Andrew Weaver, has also been equally vocal in his criticism of the NEB and launched a petition calling for a made-in-BC environmental review.

Twelve First Nations have publicly challenged the constitutionality of the Kinder Morgan Trans Mountain Review Process, including Chief Gordon Planes of the T’Sou-ke Nation.

The Tsleil-Waututh First Nation on the Burrard Inlet has filed a lawsuit challenging the NEB process as flawed and unlawful since it was designed without First Nations consultation or public participation. “This challenge goes to the heart of the crown’s assertion that it can make unilateral decisions about our territories,” states Chief Maureen Thomas (see attached press release.) The one-sided review would see Tsleil-Waututh elders cross-examined by pipeline company lawyers, but company representatives would not need to testify under oath themselves.

If the Province withdraws from the NEB equivalency agreement and institutes its own review, this will bring decision-making “home to BC” where it belongs.

Continued pressure is needed to make sure UBCM and AVICC lobby the Province to take immediate and decisive action.

A similar motion to the one proposed was approved unanimously by Esquimalt’s Municipal Council on February 2nd, and will be tabled with other municipal councils in the next few weeks.

The grass roots movement to stop pipeline expansion and tanker traffic off our coast has mushroomed in the last two years. 70% of Sooke’s electorate opposed oil tanker expansion in the recent municipal plebiscite, and Sooke’s Council recently re-affirmed their opposition to expanded oil tanker traffic off our coast.

In the Capital Region District, 52,758 people have signed Dogwood Initiative’s petition in support of a citizen’s initiative to allow BC citizens to vote on the issue of expanded oil tanker traffic. Dogwood now has more than 200,000 supporters throughout BC with 1,000 active volunteers in 38 electoral ridings.

Dogwood intervened successfully during the municipal elections with 500 candidates completing its survey and 40,000 people visiting the Let BC Vote 2014 website. A similar campaign is planned for the upcoming federal election to enable local citizens to exercise decision-making over their land, air, and water.