Commons Vote Today on Banning Oil Tankers Off North Coast

Tuesday, December 07, 2010 03:56 AM

Prince Rupert BC, - Today, there will be a vote in the House of Commons on Skeena-Bulkley Valley MP Nathan Cullen’s motion to legislate a ban on oil tanker traffic from the Dixon Entrance, Queen Charlotte Sound and Hecate Strait.

The United Fisherman and Allied Workers Union (UFAWU-CAW) is calling on all Members of Parliament to support the motion.

" Our coastal communities depend on a healthy environment," said Shoreworkers Local 31 President Arnold Nagy of the UFAWU-CAW," and an oil spill in the north coast could devastate coastal economies and communities that depend on the ocean's resources." The fishing industry contributes over $135 million to the Central and North coast, and is the single largest private employer in these regions, which includes many remote First Nations and non-First Nation communities.

On November 30th, a delegation including representatives of the fishing industry, First Nations, environmental organizations, tourism and oil spill expert Dr. Riki Ott went to Parliament Hill to urge MPs to support a formalized ban on oil tankers in Northern B.C. waters.

If today’s motion is approved, the plans for the Enbridge twin pipeline would be crushed as that plan calls for tar sands crude to be loaded on to ships at a new terminal in Kitimat.

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Posted on Tuesday, December 07, 2010 03:56 AM in News by 250 News

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Comments

Posted by: Eagleone on December 7 2010 4:27 AM

I support this ban on tanker traffic on the BC north coast. Good for Nathan Cullen for bringing this to a vote so we can all see who in parliament supports protecting BC's interests as well as the nations interests.

Posted by: Spencetor on December 7 2010 7:30 AM

I'm definitely in support of the ban on tanker traffic as well. Let's hope Ottawa makes the right decision and we can send Enbridge packing!

Posted by: IMO on December 7 2010 7:59 AM

They wont! They were bought and paid for long ago.

Posted by: Andyfreeze on December 7 2010 8:30 AM

I agree IMO!
Far too much money involved for this to pass.

Posted by: rodangus on December 7 2010 8:56 AM

I cannot believe how many people on the government payroll hate this pipeline project. You should remember that the Enbridges of the world, Syncrude and their contractors pay millions in taxes, and your precious north coast commercial fishery is an economic drain on Canada. You are doing a good job of trying to strangle economic growth in our province. ie. Taseko, Windy Craggy etc. Move to PEI or something huh...

Posted by: muckermike on December 7 2010 9:03 AM

What about the LPG line? Is the ban just for oil tankers? I thought all the environmental approvals were in place for the gas line. This would provide the necessary infrastrucure for the Nechako basin gas. I believe it would be far and away more beneficial economically for B.C., with far less environmental damage than the Enbridge proposal.

Posted by: Dragonmaster on December 7 2010 9:15 AM

rodangus, what difference does it make who works where?
Sure the big boys pay taxes, albeit not their fair share.
Look at what has happened to the people affected by the Exxon Valdez. Exxon ordered by the courts to pay millions in damages to those that lost everything. They haven't been payed!
Meanwhile Exxon is the most profitable company in the world.
162 billion last year I believe.
You don't care about our BC environmen. Do those a favour that do, move to PEI or something huh...

Posted by: seamutt on December 7 2010 10:35 AM

Process the oil before sending it out. More jobs here. Same goes with raw logs and minerals, process here.

Posted by: Krusty on December 7 2010 12:35 PM

Oil companies paying taxes? Were you not aware that Ottawa (i.e. "us") subsidize the oil sands to tune of one billion dollars anually?
Besides, the environmental impact of a tanker spill would be devastating by any measure you care to use. Does it even need to be mentioned that the BC coast has some of the roughest waters, highest winds, and trickiest spaces to navigate in the world? Put these together with the limited long-term payoff for the citizens of BC and it's just not worth it.

Posted by: Andyfreeze on December 7 2010 1:36 PM

A big YES!on that from me,seamutt!
Not that it will ever happen.
Big oil greases more than the wheels of industry!
When you are talking oil,you are talking financial,political, and corporate power beyond our comprehension.