Imagine for a moment that the Canucks made the playoffs (I know this is confusing and potentially painful for you, but bear with me). Imagine that they’re about to win their series when, with only a couple minutes left before the horn goes, the captain of the other team skates to centre ice and starts making a plea – to the media, to the audience, to the ref, to anyone who will listen:
“Look, I know we made mistakes, but I feel like we had some good chances and it’s only bad luck that we’re so far behind. If you just give us another shot, I think we can really turn this thing around. What do you say?”
What’s your reaction? Well, it might be similar to your reaction to Enbridge’s recent request for an extension to the conditional federal approval of the Northern Gateway pipelines and tankers proposal.
Northern Gateway’s approval is on track to expire at the end of 2016 because it hasn’t yet secured any contracts to actually fill the pipeline with oil. To keep its project alive, Northern Gateway has requested a three-year extension from the National Energy Board (NEB) and federal Cabinet.
This is where you can have your say
The public has until June 27, 2016, to comment on Northern Gateway’s extension request and influence the fate of this controversial pipeline and tanker project. For information on key issues and how to submit your comments, West Coast has prepared a backgrounder to help you make yourself heard on Northern Gateway’s extension request.
E-mails and form letters will not be accepted, so you will have to make your submission by mail, fax, or e-filing.
The comment period is an opportunity to have your say on a “live or die” decision for Northern Gateway, and to hold the federal government accountable for the promised oil tanker ban on the north coast of BC. The NEB will make an initial decision about the request, but ultimately, the federal Cabinet will have the final say on whether or not to grant the extension. So comments to the NEB may also inform a final decision from Cabinet.
Trudeau’s promise: Enbridge “will not happen”
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau promised before the election that, if he were elected, Northern Gateway “will not happen,” and he has recently reaffirmed that commitment by stating that the Great Bear Rainforest is no place for an oil pipeline. Importantly, Prime Minister Trudeau has issued Ministerial Mandate Letters directing his Ministers to “formalize a moratorium on crude oil tanker traffic on British Columbia’s North Coast.” As West Coast has previously noted, this is an important commitment that, if meaningfully implemented, will bring lasting protection to BC’s north coast from oil tankers like those proposed by Northern Gateway.
Granting an extension to Northern Gateway would be inconsistent with implementing the federal government’s oil tanker ban mandate. Thus the Prime Minister’s direction to formalize a Pacific north coast oil tanker ban – along with strong support for the ban from First Nations, municipalities, organizations and citizens – is an important factor for the NEB, and if necessary Cabinet, to consider in deciding Northern Gateway’s extension request.
Enbridge’s pending expiry stems from widespread opposition
It’s worth recalling that both Northern Gateway’s failure to secure supply contracts (which has put its federal approval on track to expire), and the federal government’s commitment to an oil tanker ban, are rooted in the longstanding, deep and widespread opposition to Northern Gateway demonstrated by British Columbians from all walks of life.
Consider just a few examples:
- Well over 100 First Nations have opposed Northern Gateway, and declared in the Save the Fraser Declaration and Coastal First Nations Declaration that the project is not permitted in their territories.
- The Union of BC Municipalities has opposed Northern Gateway.
- Kitimat, the proposed terminus for the project, voted against Northern Gateway in a plebiscite.
- The Government of BC has opposed Northern Gateway.
- A majority of British Columbians have regularly opposed Northern Gateway in polls.
- Labour unions such as Unifor (which represents oil sands workers) and the BC Government and Service Employees Union have opposed Northern Gateway.
- Prime Minister Trudeau has opposed Northern Gateway and the Federal Government has formally committed to an oil tanker ban on BC’s north coast.
In the words of Saik’uz First Nation Chief Stanley Thomas: “Enbridge is seeking an extension for Northern Gateway because the proposal has failed.” Now is the time to have your say on whether it should get another shot.
To read West Coast's backgrounder on how to submit your comments, click here.
By Gavin Smith, Staff Counsel