Thousands sign B.C. NDP letter against Northern Gateway oil pipeline

by Stephen Thomson on Jul 17, 2012 at 12:25 pm
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Oil pipeline opponents rally in Vancouver in March.
Stephen Thomson

The provincial New Democrats have gathered more than 25,000 names on a letter formally opposing Enbridge’s plan to build an oil pipeline from northern Alberta to the B.C. coast.

The NDP letter highlights concerns about the risks posed to the environment, wildlife, First Nations communities, and the economy from the proposed Northern Gateway project. The open letter, dated April 30 and posted online, is addressed to the federal Joint Review Panel, which has been holding hearings on the Enbridge proposal.

Enbridge, a Calgary-based energy company, wants to build a 1,170-kilometre-long pipeline between the Edmonton area and B.C.’s coast at Kitimat, where tankers would ship the oil to markets in Asia.

The Opposition NDP has expressed fears about the consequences of a potential oil tanker spill along the coast or a potential leak from the pipeline where it crosses B.C. wilderness. The NDP also raised concerns the project will contribute to climate change while providing little economic benefit to B.C.

“We strongly believe that the NGP [Northern Gateway project] is not in the public interest and will cause significant adverse environmental effects,” reads the letter, signed by NDP leader Adrian Dix and the party caucus.

Meanwhile, B.C. Liberal premier Christy Clark has not taken a public stand for or against the proposed pipeline. However, Clark has told media to expect more details about the government’s position in the coming days.

Comments (8) Add New Comment
Ray I
Jul 17, 2012 at 1:09 pm
I wonder what other job creating business initiatives the NDP will shut down? Will we see another flight of capital and jobs from mining and the oil and gas sectors like in past NDP regimes? An NDP Government could prove to bee a boon for businesses and workers in Alberta.
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Paul J
Jul 17, 2012 at 2:20 pm
Enjoy your time in Mordor, Ray.
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pragprog
Jul 17, 2012 at 2:20 pm
@Ray I...Con shill with his brilliant talking points. Fine-- let Alberta have the filthy consequences (and big oil all the short term benefits), while we keep our world renowned environment and the resultant tens of 10,000's employed in the tourism and fishery industries (oh ya...too bad about the 42 permanent Enbridge jobs BC would lose)
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DavidH
Jul 17, 2012 at 2:43 pm
@ Ray: Would you care to look at GDP and employment growth during the NDP tenure versus the first 10 years of Liberal rule? Or is it more amusing to rely on the myth?

My guess is that you work very far down in the hiearchy of resource sector companies. If you were "higher up", you'd know that these companies couldn't care less about which government makes the rules.
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Barry
Jul 17, 2012 at 6:19 pm
I work in the patch and normally disagree with the NDP, but not on this one. Not only did Enbridge screw up in Kalamazoo what about the lack of Enbridge operators responce to the Elk Island spill when the operators in Edmonton didn't do anything over night? If it was any pipeline company other than Enbridge I would support the Northern Gateway.
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michael a gough
Jul 17, 2012 at 6:32 pm
i am strongly and vehemently in opposition to ano pipe line or tanker traffic anywhere on our beautiful coast where i have grown up on the saltchuck. worked played&lived all my life since born in1957.this does not mean i am or will ever be affiliated with any political party in or out of office at any level fed. or prov. or munic, in our country or out .i am a child of the universe, no more no less
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hAYOKA
Jul 17, 2012 at 7:49 pm
Noting by the numbers ( agree and disagree ) there is always this significant group of people although not large that are bat shit crazy like Ray here . Makes me wonder what they eat or drink and why they are so fucking uneducated . It's not like we who care for our communities and good health for our world are making this up because it could not be more apparent Enbridge and there foster parents HarperCon don't care for anything but power regardless of the costs to our fellow humans , world or future . So give your head a shake Ray and friends and look around and stop the ignorant bias foolish belief oil is our future unless you wish for a dead world .
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Wayne Clark
Jul 18, 2012 at 9:22 am
The Harper government of Canada is so eager to give away Canada’s un-renewable resources that they are willing to build not one pipeline but two through some of the most pristine environments left on this planet, which doubles the odds on a major environmental disaster. Then we get to load this toxic sludge on to a supertanker that is not able to get into most ports in the world let alone 240 Km up the fourth most dangerous waterway in the world.
Canada is on the razors edge of becoming resource poor following the sad experience of many African countries where having resources is a curse.

As far as Crispy Clark goes she reminds me of the Peter sellers classic movie "Being there"
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