Province Wide Rallies Planned to Press for Tanker Ban
Thursday, October 11, 2012 @ 3:59 AM
Prince George, B.C- While the Joint Review Panel hearings on the proposed Northern Gateway twin pipeline project will conclude part one of it’s two part visit to Prince George by the end of next week, that doesn’t mean the issue won’t be front and centre before the JRP returns.
Leadnow.ca has organized a province wide day of action to show growing opposition to the risks posed by pipelines and oil tankers.
Rallies are being organized to take place in communities throughout the province for the 24th of October to show support for a ban on oil tankers along B.C.’s coast. “If there are no tankers, there are no pipelines” says Nadia Nowack, Local Outreach Coordinator for Leadnow.ca.
While most of the rallies are slated to take place in front of the constituency offices of MLA’s. the Prince George action will be taking place at the Civic Centre. Full details have yet to be released.
“The majority of British Columbians have serious concerns about the expansion of tar sands pipelines and tankers,” says Nowack, who says British Columbians will be linking arms to symbolize a “wall of opposition”.
Nowack says while the Province of B.C. has put forth 5 conditions that must be met before signing on to the proposed Northern Gateway project, she says the first four, (First Nations participation, environmental approval, world leading spill response for marine and land) are nothing new, “They are already part of the regulatory process, so it is only the fifth condition, which calls for a fair share of the revenue from the pipeline that is up for discussion.” She says Alberta has made it clear it will not negotiate on that point, so “It’s up to the proponent to come to the table and make an offer. We believe, if we can get a ban on oil tanker traffic off our coast line , that will put an end to the plans for crude oil pipelines in B.C. as there will be no port for export.”
Comments
After and if they ban tankers off our left coast, here’s hoping these people hop a hydrogen powered bus and head back east to stop tanker traffic on the St. Lawrence Seaway. Why should the folks there be any less protected?
Let’s hope Harper sees the light and builds a refinery in Alberta with an eastern pipeline. Canadian fuel prices need moderation. We should have a domestic energy plan to ensure canada’s fuel supply. What ever fuel is left can be sold on the open market at world prices.
Harbanger because they are not less protected.
Remember Harper moved the marine spill recovery center from BC to Montreal in the last year. They have the resources with the ability to deal with a spill. The natural movement of the St Lawrence would take the spill out to sea, the whole corridor has eyes, people, resources and the political concern to deal with shipping issues, and the coast is nothing like the 30-foot swells in Hectic Straight today.
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