Enbridge's Northern Gateway President, John Carruthers appeared before the House of Commons Committee on Natural Resources. Skeena-Bulkley Valley MP, Nathan Cullen, was on the panel of MPs listening to his presentation - he says he levelled tough questions against the head of the proposed $5.5-billion dollar project, as Carruthers attempted to downplay the risks of the project and the oil tanker traffic that goes hand-in-hand with the pipeline.

"Enbridge has been dancing around the overwhelming list of people and groups opposed. They’ve now resorted to backing out of community hosted forums," says Cullen, "so I was glad for the chance to question them on their record of pipeline failures and their offensive dismissal of real opposition." (click here for story on info session in Prince George)

"More than half the pipeline and tanker route crosses territory of First Nations that have said a clear NO. Eighty percent of British Columbians oppose tanker traffic. The Union of BC Municipalities and other groups have rejected the proposal. I don’t know how they plan to answer those issues."

The day after Carruthers' testimony, Cullen presented the first of what he says will be many petitions signed by hundreds of people opposed to tanker traffic off B.C.'s North Coast. Cullen, the NDP's Environment Critic, says he will continue to present the petitions in the House, working his way through the large stack he's received.

Cullen has the petitions available on his website (www.nathancullen.com). He sought and received support on a Private Member's Bill banning tanker traffic off the coast this past fall.