Standing up for a Tar Sands-free BC coast

by Alex Vanderweele, Web Manager
May 6th, 2010

Even during the wake of the Gulf oil spill, Enbridge announced at their AGM that they will continue with the Northern Gateway pipeline proposal – which could make them the first to bring oil supertankers into Canada's pristine Pacific Coast.

As the devastation continues to unfold in the Gulf Coast, opposition from First Nations and Canadian citizens continues to grow. Canadians are standing united against the Northern Gateway pipeline proposal that would pump toxic Tar Sands oil across BC and our pristine Great Bear Rainforest -- risking an irreversible, catastrophic oil spill.

First Nations and ForestEthics along with Greenpeace and Dogwood Initiative, staged demonstrations outside Enbridge's Annual General Meeting in Calgary and outside its downtown Vancouver office to say 'no' to the Enbridge Northern Gateway proposal.

Visit TarSandsFreeCoast to take action now.

PSA urges action to stop the Enbridge pipeline

Listen to the radio ad that we released, which urges Greater Vancouver residents to ask their government to protect BC’s pristine north coast with a permanent tanker ban:

Read the full press release about the PSA here.

Concerns shared at Enbridge's AGM

In March, BC's Coastal First Nations declared a moratorium on oil tanker traffic and singled out Enbridge's Northern Gateway Project as unwelcome in their traditional lands.

Yet, despite clear and growing opposition -- especially in the wake of the massive oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico -- Enbridge announced at its AGM that it will continue pursuing the project that risks a catastrophic oil spill on Canada's pacific coast. ForestEthics' Energy Campaigner Nikki Skuce and representatives from First Nations and ally ENGO Dogwood Initiative were there to raise important questions about the potential oil spill risks and the overwhelming opposition to the project to CEO Pat Daniel and Enbridge shareholders in the room. Read more...

Vigil in Vancouver

Meanwhile, in Vancouver, ForestEthics worked with Greenpeace to organize a vigil outside Enbridge's offices. Tar Sands Free Supporters from BC came to the demonstration to commemorate the recent spill in the gulf and to urge Enbridge not to bring the same kind of disaster to coastal and interior BC. Check out this article on CTVBC.ca featuring ForestEthics BC Coast Campaigner Valerie Langer -- who knows the disastrous effects of oil spills first hand.

As others stayed outside during the silent vigil, Stephanie Goodwin (Greenpeace BC Director) went inside the building to deliver a letter to representatives inside the Enbridge office. Check out this video with Stephanie and some great footage of the demonstration, including ForestEthics Climate Outreach Coordinator, Jolan Bailey, collecting several petition signatures.

Take Action

There's only one way to stop Enbridge's potentially disastrous Tar Sands pipeline from being built: we must continue to put pressure on Enbridge and the Canadian government to stop this project. Make your voice heard now >>