VANCOUVER— The federal approval of the Kinder Morgan pipeline project shows that Christy Clark has failed to protect B.C.’s coast, says B.C. New Democrat Leader John Horgan.

“Instead of doing the right thing for B.C., Christy Clark put our coast in the hands of the Harper government,” said Horgan. “Christy Clark accepted the federal government’s secretive and inadequate review as B.C.’s review – despite knowing it would put our coast, and thousands of good B.C. jobs that depend on it, at risk.

“British Columbians gave Christy Clark a chance to protect our coast and she chose to put wealthy donors before the well-being of local communities, First Nations and our coastal environment.”

Putting seven times as many tankers in south coast waters represents a massive risk to B.C.’s economy, a risk that British Columbians don’t want to take, noted Horgan.

“From the get-go Christy Clark was focussed on undermining British Columbia’s ability to defend itself against this risky project that puts our environment and economy at risk,” said Horgan.

“Approving this project flies in the face of both provincial and federal commitments to reconcile with Indigenous British Columbians and First Nations communities.

“It undermines our climate change goals, and threatens our endangered resident orca population.

“Christy Clark and the B.C. Liberals haven’t stepped up to defend our coast. We have and we will.”