“We have nothing to win, and everything to lose,” says Elizabeth May
(VANCOUVER) – Green Party Leader Elizabeth May outlined the risks of the Kinder Morgan Trans Mountain Pipeline Expansion Project today in Vancouver, B.C.
"A toxic spill of bitumen mixed with chemical diluent could destroy our tourism and fisheries industries," stated Ms. May. “The risks significantly outweigh the benefits of this reckless pipeline scheme, and make Burrard Inlet and the Salish Sea a freeway for tanker traffic. The oil sands represent just 2 percent of our GDP, compared to tourism, which contributed 3 percent of Canada’s GDP. We have nothing to win, and everything to lose with the Kinder Morgan proposal. Canadians deserve a meaningful evaluation and consultation. The National Energy Board process is entirely flawed.”
“The Kinder Morgan pipeline will endanger Vancouver's local ecosystems and economy. Vancouver tourism brings in millions of dollars per year to our local economy. One tanker spill or pipeline leak could devastate our tourism industry, fisheries, and cause irreversible damage to local infrastructure,” stated Ken Melamed candidate (West Vancouver—Sunshine Coast—Sea to Sky Country).
“We need to shift towards a stable, innovative Green economy that will provide jobs for Canadians. The Green Party’s plan for a Canadian Sustainable Generations Fund will invest over $4.4 billion in skills-training, education, energy efficiency, renewables, and emerging technologies,” concluded Mr. Melamed.
“The Green Party is opposed to Kinder Morgan’s Trans Mountain project, which proposes a seven-fold increase in diluted bitumen tanker traffic through Burrard Inlet. The Green Party has advocated for a legislated ban on supertankers on the British Columbia coast,” stated Dr. Lynne Quarmby, candidate (Burnaby North—Seymour). “I am determined to stop the Kinder Morgan pipeline and this issue has motivated me to enter politics and be the champion for Burnaby North–Seymour in Ottawa.”
The Green Party will:
- Oppose any and all pipeline proposals committed to shipping raw bitumen out of Canada;
- Move to a national energy policy with a strong climate plan;
- If our domestic energy needs require it, we will stabilize oils sands production at current levels and upgrade refineries in Alberta to process it before shipping it; and
- Advocate for a legislated ban on supertankers on the British Columbia coast.
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For additional information or to arrange an interview, contact:
Julian Morelli
Director of Communications
Green Party of Canada
cell: (613) 614 4916
office: (613) 562 4916 (224)
julian.morelli@greenparty.ca
Or
Kirsten Strom
Executive Assistant to Director of Communications
t: 613.562.4916 (200)
Toll Free 1.866.868.3447
kirsten.strom@greenparty.ca