Kinder Morgan information sessions - Updated

 

Make your voice heard!

Corporate American energy giant, Kinder Morgan, is planning to double the amount of tar sands heavy oil it brings to our coast for export by building another pipeline from the tar sands right to Burrard Inlet in Vancouver. Doing so would increase the amount of large oil tankers travelling our waters to over 300 each year, increasing the risk of a disastrous spill in this amazingly special part of the world.

So far, the voices of the majority of people who would be affected by a major oil spill from a tanker in Georgia Strait or a pipeline through their community have not been heard by industry and government. Now is a chance to start being heard.

Kinder Morgan is holding information sessions across the Lower Mainland and in other parts of BC about the proposed new Trans Mountain Pipeline.  In our opinion, these have not been widely announced and we feel they may be a smoke screen for “consultation” and they are undoubtedly hoping not many folks will turn up to voice their opposition. Some sessions have already happened but there are more to come. Let them know you do not consent to have more oil transported through our communities and our waters! Please attend these sessions.  Let Kinder Morgan know what you think of its plans to bring even more oil to our coast.  But be warned, you will be asked to sign in when you arrive, and we are unclear how your personal information will be used or your presence counted in their reporting. 

But your presence is needed. We want to make sure that the company does not use these sessions to imply there is support for the project when they formally apply to federal and provincial agencies for approval in 2013. Of course, we ask that all objections are peaceful and respectful. 

 

28 November 2012	Hope Info Session - C. E. Barry Intermediate School (444 Queen Street) - drop in from 5pm-8pm
29 November 2012	Abbotsford Info Session #2 - Straiton Community Hall (4698 Upper Sumas Mountain Road) - drop in from 5pm-8pm
04 December 2012	Nanaimo Info Session - Beban Park Social Centre, Rooms 1, 2, and 3 (2300 Bowen Road) - drop in from 5pm-8pm
05 December 2012	Greater Victoria Info Session - Cedar Hill Recreation Centre, Art 1 Room (3220 Cedar Hill Rd) - drop in from 5pm-8pm
06 December 2012	West Shore Info Session - Juan de Fuca Recreation Centre, Fieldhouse Lower Area (1767 Island Highway) - drop in from 5pm-8pm
08 December 2012	Saanich Peninsula Info Session - Saanichton Learning Centre, Gymnasium (1649 Mount Newton Cross Road) - drop in from 1pm-3pm
12 January 2013	Salt Spring Island Info Session - Salt Spring Island Lions Hall (103 Bonnet Ave) - drop in from 1pm-1pm

Other dates and details for more communities are not certain yet  but we’ll make sure to let you know as soon as we get word. Check back here for the latest updates.

As Chief Justin George from Tsleil-Waututh First Nation said in a recent press release.  “It is crucial that residents attend these open houses. Unless the public voices its concerns through this forum, their silence may be deemed as consent. We call on all people to make their voices heard."

For more information about tankers in Georgia Strait and the pipeline that feeds them click here.

Thanks for your commitment to the health of Georgia Strait and the rest of the Salish Sea.