By Rob Fleming
People across British Columbia are deeply concerned about the Northern Gateway pipeline proposal and New Democrats are standing with them by taking a principled stand against the project.
We are standing with businesses, First Nations and communities across the province who are firmly opposed to lifting the 40-year tanker moratorium off our pristine coasts.
British Columbians have made it clear B.C.'s environment is not for sale.
The New Democrat caucus submitted a letter to the Joint Review Panel detailing the reasons for our opposition, and we've put forward a plan which would give our province the legal tools needed to ensure the voices of British Columbians are heard.
New Democrat leader Adrian Dix has promised a New Democrat government would take back provincial authority over this project by withdrawing from the federal government's joint review process and set up a “made in B.C.” environmental assessment.
The agreement as it stands allows the federal government to approve the project without the consent of British Columbians. There are no British Columbians on the review panel. And due to changes in the federal omnibus bill last spring, Prime Minister Harper's cabinet now has final authority to overrule any decision from the National Energy Board's environmental review.
By opting out of the agreement with 30 days' notice, we can exercise our provincial jurisdiction over this project and ensure B.C.'s interests are heard and protected.
Sadly, while New Democrats have been standing up for British Columbia's economic, social and environmental interests, the Liberals have been anything but consistent on the Enbridge pipeline.
After the B.C. Liberals handed decision-making power on the Enbridge pipeline over to Ottawa, Premier Christy Clark tried for months to avoid taking a stance.
Her government failed to provide evidence to the federal review panel, and fought to keep the government's assessment of the pipeline proposal from being entered as evidence. Only when it became clear that public opinion was swinging against the proposal did the premier begin to change her tactics and rhetoric to give the appearance that she's taking a stand.
The Liberal government's “five conditions” are largely requirements that already exist in law. The only new item advanced is the seemingly unsuccessful financial shakedown of the province of Alberta for a share of royalties.
The premier likes to talk about having “world-leading” environmental standards, but fails to mention that is exactly what Enbridge claimed to have in place before the Kalamazoo pipeline rupture in 2010, which had devastating effects on the surrounding environment and has cost more than $800 million to clean up with costs still rising. BP also claimed “world-leading standards” before the explosion and subsequent oil spill off the brand new Deepwater Horizon platform in the Gulf of Mexico.
Thousands of jobs in important sectors of our economy, like commercial and sport fishing, rely on a clean marine environment. In addition to ecological devastation, an oil spill could put these industries at risk.
The Liberals would like British Columbians to believe they are now on their side when it comes to the Enbridge pipeline. But instead of taking action to stop it, Premier Clark is grandstanding and picking fights with Alberta, trying to look tough without doing anything substantive.
The premier has threatened to stop the pipeline by withholding permits and even directing BC Hydro to refuse to provide electricity to the project. This reckless, make-it-up-as-you-go approach sends a dangerous signal to business in the province and would not hold up in court. Taxpayers could be at risk for damages resulting from lawsuits levelled at such actions.
We understand that while it's inevitable the interests of provinces will at times diverge, respect must remain at the forefront in discussions. Premier Clark's approach reflects badly on our province, especially given that her government hasn't taken the necessary actions to back up her words and stand up for the best interests of B.C.
Adrian Dix and the New Democrat team are listening to the overwhelming majority of British Columbians opposed to the Enbridge project and have put forward a plan to ensure the voices of citizens, businesses, First Nations and communities are properly heard.
This op-ed originally appeared in the Vancouver Sun.