As hearings resume, Liberals prove they’re ready to sell out B.C. for Enbridge pipeline

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VICTORIA – As the National Energy Board hearings into the proposed Enbridge Northern Gateway Pipeline resume this week in Victoria, the B.C. Liberals continue to demonstrate they are willing to sell out British Columbia for the right price.

After the premier failed to cut a deal with Alberta for a share of that province's royalties, Environment Minister Terry Lake said Wednesday that the Liberal government would be open to receiving federal infrastructure money for B.C. to satisfy one of their “five conditions.” In fact, Lake said that building the pipeline “certainly can be a possibility.”

Although British Columbians have made it clear our coastline is not for sale, the Liberals have failed to stand up for our province’s best interests from the start:

  • The B.C. Liberal government handed over decision-making power to Ottawa when they signed the 2010 Equivalency Agreement.
  • Premier Clark and the Liberal government wasted months avoiding taking a stance on the project.
  • The government missed the deadline to provide evidence to the review panel and fought to keep their own internal assessment of the project a secret.
  • While both Alberta and the federal government have been full participants in the review process, the B.C. Liberals refused to allow their own government experts to act as witnesses.
  • The Liberals made the untenable claim that they could stop the pipeline after it gets approval by denying provincial permits or withholding electricity.

Unlike the premier’s constantly evolving position on Enbridge, Adrian Dix and B.C.’s New Democrats have stood with businesses, First Nations, communities and ordinary citizens in taking a principled, consistent stance against the pipeline and increased tanker traffic on the North Coast.

Adrian Dix has said that if elected, B.C. New Democrats would take practical steps to protect our province, including exercising the right to opt out of the federal government’s review process and setting up a rigorous “made in B.C.” environmental assessment that ensures the voices of all British Columbians are heard.