Media Release
The Tar Sands and Gateway Pipeline – A Public Forum – Feb. 29th
One of the most controversial issues currently facing British Columbia is the proposed ll77 kilometre long Enbridge Gateway pipeline from the Alberta tar sands to the west coast port of Kitimat, which poses threats to our pristine salmon streams, forest ecosystems, spirit bears, and fragile coastline. As well, many experts are pointing out that the pipeline does not make good economic sense, as it takes three to six times the amount of energy to produce a barrel of bitumen oil than it does to produce a barrel of conventional oil.
In order to raise awareness of the tar pipeline issue in our community, three local organizations, KAIROS Salmon Arm, the Okanagan Shuswap NDP, and the Shuswap Environmental Action Society (SEAS) are sponsoring a public forum at 7 pm on February 29th at the First United Church Hall, 450 Okanagan Ave. in Salmon Arm.
“The tar sands are a monumental environmental disaster that are spewing massive amounts of pollution into the air and water and are rapidly increasing Canada’s CO2 emissions. Expanding this development will only exacerbate the problems,” said Jim Cooperman, SEAS president and one of the event organizers. “We will be showing a number of videos about the pipelines and the tar sands. Plus there will be a power point presentation and time for discussion,” added Cooperman.
“The pipeline poses major threats to northern First Nations communities, as well as to the livelihoods of all those who depend on clean water and healthy ecosystems. It is no wonder that every B.C. First Nation is opposed to the pipeline,” said Anne Morris of KAIROS Salmon Arm, a church-based organization that works on environmental and social justice issues.
“In fact, 130 First Nations chiefs recently signed the Fraser Declaration opposing the pipeline. As well, the Union of BC Municipalities passed two resolutions at its 2011 convention opposing tanker traffic on the West Coast and the proposed pipeline. There is a growing awareness that B.C. would have to absorb all the environmental risks of this project, including jeopardizing its fishery and tourism industries,” added Morris.
“The project does not meet the criteria for sustainable development,“ declared Nick Hodge, president of the Okanagan Shuswap NDP Riding Association. “Subsidies which now support oil sands development should be redirected.” Hodge added that the Alberta Federation of Labour opposes the pipeline project and told the review panel, “The Northern Gateway Pipeline is not in the public interest because it would result in the loss of tens of thousands of potential jobs in upgrading, refining and petro-chemical production.” And former ICBC CEO, Robyn Allen warned in a recent report that completion of the pipeline would result in higher fuel costs to Canadians and that “it represents a windfall of economic benefit to oil producers without addressing the costs to Canadians.”
“The recent attempt by the Harper government to label those opposed to the pipeline as American-funded, radical traitors has backfired, as many people see this misguided effort as a devious way to hide the fact that the proposed project is being funded through hundreds of millions of dollars by foreign oil companies, including the massive Chinese Sinopec oil company,” added Cooperman.
Organizers of the forum are pleased to bring this information to the residents of the Shuswap. Everyone is welcome to attend this free event.
For more information, contact:
Anne Morris, KAIROS Salmon Arm, 833-5773
Jim Cooperman, SEAS, 679-3693
Nick Hodge, Okanagan Shuswap NDP, 542-4048
Suncor Syncrude Refinery adjacent to the Alberta Tar Sands – a source of massive pollution that uses huge amounts of fresh water
Bitumen is very corrosive and the pipelines are very susceptible to leaks and leak often
Just say no to huge oil tankers like this in the treacherous waters of B.C.’s coast, where it would not be a question of if, but a only a question of when there would be a massive spill