Pipeline Approval Presents Opportunity to Act

On June 17 the Canadian government conditionally approved the plans to build Enbridge’s Northern Gateway Pipeline.

The approval follows controversy over adverse environmental impacts and the lack of consultations with Aboriginal groups. If built, the pipeline would present a significant risk to the environment, particularly the BC coastline and the Great Bear Rainforest.

“One spill on the coast of British Columbia wipes out everything we stand for as coastal First Nations,” says Art Sterritt, Coastal First Nations Executive Director, “It wipes out our culture. It wipes out our food. It wipes out our economy.”

Despite the government’s approval, construction of the pipeline is not guaranteed. In addition to the 209 conditions put forward by the Federal Joint Review Panel, the project is still dependant on consultation with the BC government and Aboriginal groups. The voice of the public still has the power to sway this decision.

“We’re not going to make it easy for them. Nor are British Columbians going to make it easy,” stated Yinka Dene Alliance coordinator Geraldine Thomas Flurer, “Our women are ready to put their lives down on the line to stop this project. We’re going to do everything we can to protect our water.”

The proposed pipeline would span 1200km from the Alberta oilsands to Kitimat B.C, carrying diluted bitumen. From there it would be shipped through the Douglas straight to Asian markets.

In October 2012, Nobel Peace Laureate Jody Williams led Breaking Ground – the Nobel Women’s Initiative fact finding mission to Alberta’s tar sands and along the proposed Northern Gateway Pipeline route. The delegation met with over 200 women in 13 communities. These women voiced their concerns about a range of economic, health, and social impacts related to the pipeline and oil sands expansion.