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Federal Liberal support for B.C. oil tanker ban applauded
Media Releases | ForestEthics | Living Oceans | West Coast Environmental Law | Dogwood Initiative | June 21, 2010
June 21, 2010 (Vancouver, B.C.) – Environmental groups are praising Michael Ignatieff and the
Liberal Party of Canada for their commitment today to formalize the oil tanker ban in British
Columbia. Such a ban would prevent crude oil tankers from traveling through BC’s Central and
North Coast.
“Michael Ignatieff’s announcement to formalize the ban on oil tankers is precisely the kind of
leadership we need on this issue. We thank him for making the commitment to ensure that the marine
life, people, and economy of coastal BC is protected from catastrophic oil spills,” says Jennifer Lash,
Executive Director of the Living Oceans Society.
Last month, Enbridge filed its application for the Northern Gateway Pipeline, which would carry tar
sands oil to a supertanker port at Kitimat and bring 225 oil tankers per year to B.C.’s North Coast.
Environmental groups, including Dogwood Initiative, Forest Ethics, Living Oceans Society, and
West Coast Environmental Law have been calling for a permanent, legislated ban on crude oil
tankers to protect the coast from oil spills.
“The only way we can ensure that the ban on tankers is strong enough to withstand pressure from oil
companies is to formalize it through permanent legislation,” says Josh Paterson, Staff Lawyer at
West Coast Environmental Law. “With today’s announcement, we believe there is enough support
among all opposition parties in the House of Commons to make this happen soon. As Liberal leader,
Mr. Ignatieff can play a pivotal role in passing legislation to ban tankers.”
Support for a ban on oil tankers has risen since the Gulf of Mexico oil spill. A poll conducted in May
2010 by the Mustel Group showed that 80 percent of British Columbians support a ban on crude oil
tankers.
“The images of oil drenching the shorelines from the BP spill have reminded British Columbians
how fortunate we are to have an oil-free coast,” stated Nikki Skuce Senior Energy Campaigner at
ForestEthics. “With today’s announcement by the Liberal Party of Canada, we are one step closer to
giving the people of B.C. what they have wanted for a long time: a legislated ban on oil tankers.”
Coastal First Nations have already declared a ban under their traditional laws on oil tankers in their
territorial waters. Federal legislation would demonstrate Parliament’s shared commitment to
safeguarding the Pacific. There are currently no crude oil tankers travelling the inside waters of
B.C.’s north and central coast.
“In light of the Liberal announcement today, Enbridge should formally withdraw their proposal to
build a pipeline to Kitimat,” added Eric Swanson, Corporate Campaigner at the Dogwood Initiative.
“It is a waste of time and taxpayers’ money to conduct a review of this project if the will of
Parliament is to enact a permanent tanker ban.”
Contacts:
Josh Paterson, Staff Lawyer, West Coast Environmental Law: 778-829-8973
Nikki Skuce, Senior Energy Campaigner, ForestEthics: 250-877-7762 or 778-210-0117
Jennifer Lash, Executive Director, Living Oceans Society: 250-741-4006
Eric Swanson, Corporate Campaigner, Dogwood Initiative: 250-370-9930, ext. 27
View maps showing tanker routes and tanker ban zone at:
http://www.livingoceans.org/media/tanker-route-maps.aspx
Tagged with: pipeline, enbridge, northern gateway, forestethics, dogwood initiative, ignatieff, west coast environmental law association, living oceans, liberal party of canada
