Close X
Tuesday, November 12, 2024
ADVT 
National

Hundreds Rally In Burnaby, B.C., Against Trans Mountain Pipeline Expansion

The Canadian Press, 29 May, 2017 12:03 PM
    BURNABY, B.C. — Hundreds of people in British Columbia have completed a 75-kilometre march in protest of the Kinder Morgan Trans Mountain pipeline expansion.
     
    The four-day trek called Walk For the Salish Sea ended with a rally in Burnaby, B.C., Sunday afternoon with speeches scheduled from federal Green Party Leader Elizabeth May, Burnaby Mayor Derek Corrigan and Grand Chief Stewart Phillip.
     
    Texas-based Kinder Morgan recently gave a conditional financial go-ahead for the expansion, which would triple the amount of Alberta oil that flows to B.C.'s coast and increase tanker traffic by seven-fold.
     
    Rally organizer Joel Ornoy says the pipeline poses a serious risk for the environment, nearby residents and economy if a spill were to occur.
     
    In addition to putting a spotlight on the issue, Ornoy says the march raised thousands of dollars for indigenous groups fighting the pipeline proposal in the courts.
     
     
    Kinder Morgan has said the company received the necessary approvals from the federal government for the project and is aiming to begin construction this fall.
     
    But Simon Fraser University English professor Stephen Collis, who took part in the rally, said the pipeline is not a done-deal.
     
    "There is still a lack of indigenous consent and there's a lack of public consent and this event is about showing that people are still concerned and still opposed and still intending to make sure this does not happen," he said.
     
    Collis added that past litigation, including a landmark 2014 Supreme Court of Canada case that favoured the Tsilhqot'in people in B.C. in a battle over land title, sets a precedent for ongoing legal battles related to the area the Trans Mountain pipeline will cross.
     
    "Many, many (First) Nations whose territories the pipeline will cross are vocally opposed to this," he said. 
     
    Collis said it's just a matter of getting their cases through the courts.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Liberals Want Infrastructure Cash To Reduce Impacts Of Flooding, Amarjeet Sohi Says

    Liberals Want Infrastructure Cash To Reduce Impacts Of Flooding, Amarjeet Sohi Says
    OTTAWA — The federal infrastructure minister says the Liberals want more of the billions in upcoming project funding to be spent directly on flood and disaster mitigation.

    Liberals Want Infrastructure Cash To Reduce Impacts Of Flooding, Amarjeet Sohi Says

    Editor Of CBC's 'The National' Reassigned After Cultural Appropriation Flap

    Editor Of CBC's 'The National' Reassigned After Cultural Appropriation Flap
    TORONTO — The managing editor of CBC's "The National" was reassigned Wednesday for what the public broadcaster called "an inappropriate, insensitive and frankly unacceptable tweet" he made as part of a controversial debate over cultural appropriation.

    Editor Of CBC's 'The National' Reassigned After Cultural Appropriation Flap

    Transgender Community, NDP Urge Trudeau Government To Change Travel Regulations

    Transgender Community, NDP Urge Trudeau Government To Change Travel Regulations
    Doing away with the regulation is a cause the federal NDP has been pushing for five years, and one for which Justin Trudeau expressed support before becoming prime minister.

    Transgender Community, NDP Urge Trudeau Government To Change Travel Regulations

    Quebec Woman Found Alive In Saskatchewan Arrested For Suspected Mischief

    Quebec Woman Found Alive In Saskatchewan Arrested For Suspected Mischief
    RIMOUSKI, Que. — Quebec provincial police say a missing woman who was found safe in Saskatchewan has been arrested for suspected mischief.

    Quebec Woman Found Alive In Saskatchewan Arrested For Suspected Mischief

    Quebec Town To Hold Referendum Over Proposed Site Of Muslim Burial Ground

    Quebec Town To Hold Referendum Over Proposed Site Of Muslim Burial Ground
    SAINT-APOLLINAIRE, Que. — A referendum will be held July 16 over the proposed site for a Muslim cemetery southwest of Quebec City.

    Quebec Town To Hold Referendum Over Proposed Site Of Muslim Burial Ground

    Birinderjeet Bhangu Murder: Johnny Steven Drynock, 22, Charged With First-Degree Murder In Surrey

    Birinderjeet Bhangu Murder: Johnny Steven Drynock, 22, Charged With First-Degree Murder In Surrey
    SURREY, B.C. — A charge of first-degree murder has been laid against a 22-year-old man accused of shooting another man in a hotel parking lot in Surrey, B.C.

    Birinderjeet Bhangu Murder: Johnny Steven Drynock, 22, Charged With First-Degree Murder In Surrey