Premier Christy Clark wins support for her position on pipelines

Despite what one would tend to gather from all of the recent noise and hoopla generated by the antipipeline faction in B.C., recent polls have shown that only about 35 percent of British Columbians are dead set against oil pipelines [“Dix blasts B.C.’s approach to pipelines”, August 16-23]. The other two-thirds (the silent majority) want to know more before making up their minds.

That’s exactly the same position Premier Christy Clark and the B.C. Liberal government have taken on proposed oil pipelines, including the Northern Gateway project undergoing a federal environmental review.

From the start, Premier Clark and the B.C. Liberals have made it clear that hearing all the facts, and considering all the potential benefits and risks, before passing judgment on any project is an essential part of the process.

Premier Clark has also made it very clear that tough environmental standards would have to be achieved by any oil pipeline project, and that meaningful engagement with the affected First Nations communities would need to be clearly demonstrated.

Premier Clark’s position on oil pipelines shows it’s not just about the money. It’s about meeting key environmental and social objectives, which are just as important to the province as meeting key economic and fiscal objectives.

> Massimo Mandarino / Vancouver

I am astonished and disgusted to hear so much division among B.C.’s politicians. How can there be any question of what comes first? It has to be the best interests of British Columbians, and secondly those of all Canadians.

Let’s not be hypocrites, and put aside partisan politics when it comes to protecting and fostering B.C.’s interests.

The bottom line on this: I fully support our government’s position in all matters that clearly put our interests over those of Albertans or the federal government.

I am 100-percent Canadian, and I place our national interests ahead of those of other countries, but B.C. always comes first for me.

We support the poor and needy around the world, and so we should. But we do not have to worry about Albertans not making enough money.

In the case of building a pipeline across our land, exposing us to most of the environmental downside, our government must take the correct stance.

> H. Peter Kuehn / Kelowna

Comments

13 Comments

ds

Sep 6, 2012 at 4:01pm

If you support the poor and needy how about the kids who go to school every day without a proper breakfast or lunch. And you don't have to wait and see the facts about the pipe line because if there is a storm I say there is a good chance there will be a ship in big trouble.

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Trapperjack

Sep 6, 2012 at 8:35pm

So what this says is that two-thirds of BC'ers are basically brain dead. Just like our illustrious leader!

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Clayton Lloyd-Jones

Sep 7, 2012 at 9:03am

I wonder how many of the 35% live along the pipeline route. I'm guessing that most of those surveyed are from the lower mainland and haven't
a clue as to what would be lost if we had a pipeline break or a tanker collision in the Douglas Channel.

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opposed to pipelines

Sep 7, 2012 at 11:11am

Hearing all the facts? Now that isn't going to happen when the Federal Government is going that extra pipeline so that wouldn't happen. Shorting the time doesn't make the quickie process credible just as robocalls dosen't make for a credible government. Christie is in the dark as Ministers leave the premier for a lark. No matter how media tells it Ministers do not jump ship unless it is sinking or in this case the BC Liberals new era was a complete bust.

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the 35% are informed

Sep 7, 2012 at 11:21am

It is the rest of the population that has been reliant on main stream media to get its stories.
Extra, extra you can read all about how the Enbridge pipeline is a bust right here in the Georgia Straight.

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EcoCollectivist

Sep 8, 2012 at 4:29am

For the record the pipeline is not going through. Just want to be clear about that. When the puppets at the National Energy Board finally finish with the theater and approve this pipeline at the behest of Harper and his Big Oil buddies, Canada will see the emergence of BC's anarchistic factions especially on the coast. We will not accept this. No matter what the cost.

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Mosby

Sep 8, 2012 at 6:13pm

I wish more of us had the attitude of EcoCollectivist! Too many Canadians are spineless wimps who meekly accept whatever shit is shoved down their throat. I'm thoroughly sick of it; time to stand up and fight for what's right, folks.

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Julie

Sep 9, 2012 at 3:58pm

The last I heard. 75% of the BC citizens, are supporting the F.N. to stop the atrocities of the Enbridge pipeline, and the dirty tar tankers. Even Vancouver will fight the Kinder Morgan pipeline. They most certainly don't want anymore tankers in their waters. Nor, will Prince Rupert accept dirty tar tankers.

Harper and Gordon Campbell, did some very serious offenses, to BC and the citizens. Enbridge has done nothing other than, out and out blatant lie and deceive the BC citizens. Enbridge and Harper's map into the channel of Kitimat Port, that was missing all of the islands, was the last dirty tactic, the BC citizens are going to put up with.

Communist China has been showing, their aggression around the globe. Harper had no right, permitting Communist China on our Canadian soil. Harper has permitted China, to bring their own people, to work the tar sands. Harper has said, China can bring swarms over, to build the Enbridge pipeline. China is permitted to refine the tar in their own country. Who benefits??? Harper, big oil, Enbridge, Alberta and Communist China.

They say, China has not been paying their bills at the tar sands. Premier Redford launched a site called, the wall of shame. Seems people up there aren't getting paid. The company's names go on the wall of shame. China is the worst offender.

BC citizens are prepared to go to Kitimat and stand beside the F.N. In BC, Salmon is a staple food for the F.N. People. Dirty diseased fish farms, are killing off the wild Salmon. Even the bears are very hungry, Salmon is a staple for them too. They are being driven into towns, to look for food for their hibernation time. Sadly, they lose their battle for food too, and are shot. Baby Bears are then, often left to die.

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Roger Reimer

Sep 10, 2012 at 2:21pm

Don't most of the people in the lower mainland know they have an oil pipeline runnning from Alberta to BC and has been there for 60 years .
And oil tanks have traveling the coast of Bc for almost as long ...
How does vancouver island get it oil?

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Joebin SchWartz

Sep 11, 2012 at 9:47pm

What the hell is happening to The Straight? You guys are not only getting crooked, but you are far from straight shooters anymore. Whst's with the Christy Clark fan club? First that twit Gordon Wilson, and now you guys publish two letters that the BC Liberal propagandists use as evidence that the Straight is coming around to their point if view. When you see Christy's EX Tweeting and article from you guys, you know that it can't be good news for honest journalism!

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