The Joint Review Panel of the Enbridge Northern Gateway Project
announced their recommendation to the federal government to approve this project,
subject to 209 conditions. Overwhelming majority of British Columbians,
including First Nations communities threatened by the pipeline,
in opposing this project. Testimonials provided by dozens of experts
have made it abundantly clear that this project would place B.C.’s environment at risk,
including its fragile marine ecosystems and the coastal communities that depend on them.
The pipeline would also cross 800 waterways, placing fish and many other species at risk.
An initial review of the Panel’s report reveals that it does not give B.C.’s environment the consideration it deserves.
For example, despite concluding that there “would likely be significant cumulative adverse effects” on both caribou
and grizzly bears, recommends that these “can be justified.”
The creation of the pipeline is too big of a threat to wildlife and wilderness in B.C.
and poses significant risks to B.C.’s coast through disruptive tanker traffic and the risk of oil spills.
