An environmental group is applauding Saanich for its efforts in stopping the construction of new pipelines.
Last week, the District of Saanich council passed a notice of motion that would pressure the BC and federal governments to oppose new northern pipelines and uphold a ban on tankers travelling through the province’s northern coast.
Additionally, the motion would have the District urge higher levels of government to prioritize investment in renewable energy and clean technologies going forward.
Sierra Club BC, an environmental advocacy group dedicated to preserving BC’s natural beauty and resources, has announced their support of this motion and preservation initiative.
Specifically, the motion brought forth by Saanich Councillor Teale Phelps Bondaroff asks the Province and Canadian government to uphold the 2019 North Coast tanker ban.
This ban prohibits tankers carrying more than 12,500 metric tonnes of oil products from stopping, loading or unloading at ports along British Columbia’s north coast, from the Alaska-BC border to the northern tip of Vancouver Island.
In addition to this motion passing through the Saanich council chambers, it will also be brought forth to the Union of BC Municipalities convention in Victoria later this month.
“British Columbians have fought for decades to protect the North Coast from the devastating impacts of oil spills. Our Coastal communities in BC are all interconnected,” said Saanich Mayor Dean Murdock.
“It is important that we stand with Indigenous nations, local communities, and future generations to keep our coast safe and our economy resilient.”
The reason for this motion coming forth, as well as the urgency it’s being treated with, is in part due to recent interest from governments outside the province showing interest in establishing new pipelines along BCs coast.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and oil industry stakeholders have recently shown renewed interest in proposing a new oil pipeline, which would directly impact BC’s north coast.
Sierra Club BC says that this renewed interest is raising concerns about reversing hard-won environmental protections that could increase the risk of catastrophic oil spills.
In addition to Alberta’s premier calling for a new pipeline, Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney has stated that a new pipeline project to BC’s north coast is “highly, highly likely,” and could be determined to be a nationally significant project.
This matter is facing opposition from many environmental advocacy groups, as well as BC First Nations, who would prefer more clean energy solutions that create long-term, sustainable jobs without endangering marine ecosystems.
“Let’s be clear: calling pipelines ‘nation-building projects’ is reckless in an era of climate change. We simply cannot afford to risk the lives of salmon, orcas, herring and other species for projects that increase the already severe impacts climate change is having on our communities,” said Councillor Phelps Bondaroff.
“The federal government and Prime Minister need to receive a clear message from British Columbians that we will not stand by while the irreplaceable ecosystems we depend upon are put at risk to serve outdated fossil fuel fantasies.”
The District of Saanich and Sierra Club BC’s position is that upholding the north coast tanker ban is important for all of British Columbia’s coastal communities.
This is because the ban helps protect BC’s world-renowned marine ecosystem, safeguards the livelihoods and cultures that depend on these pristine waters and upholds Indigenous rights by preventing risks from oil spills.
“All residents of BC deserve clean air and water and the right to a healthy environment,” said David Quigg, Organizer with Sierra Club BC.
“This resolution will send a strong message that Canada needs to skate to where the puck is going – clean energy solutions that create long-term, sustainable jobs without endangering the ecosystems we all depend on.”
The motion that was adopted by Saanich last week will culminate as an emergency resolution to be addressed at the UBCM convention taking place in Victoria from September 22th to 26th.
UBCM resolutions are often a way for municipalities throughout BC to band together and have their collective voices heard by higher levels of government and often result in action being taken.
