Backgrounder on opposition to oil tankers on BC's North Coast

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View the press release >> View the full list of businesses and organizations in support of a ban on oil tankers through BC's Pacific North Coast >>

There is deep opposition to oil tankers on the coast and questions as to Federal panel's ability to make right decision for British Columbians:

• 2010 polling shows 80% of British Columbians oppose oil tanker traffic on the north coast (Mustel)
• A broad array of British Columbians have signed up to oppose tankers on the coast (see list below)
• The Union of BC Municipalities overwhelmingly passed a motion in support of a legislated tanker ban on the north coast, at their assembly of all cities and towns in BC in 2010.Over 80 First Nations have declared their opposition to the Enbridge Northern Gateway pipeline and tankers project, and to the transportation of tar sands crude oil by tanker or pipeline through their territories, waters, and watersheds.
• More than fifty percent of the combined pipeline and tanker route proposed by Enbridge is through the territories of nations that have not only declared their opposition, but have declared that the project violates their unextinguished Indigenous laws. A tanker ban, based in the laws of the Coastal First Nations, is already in force on the north coast through a declaration passed in March 2010. Sixty-one affected nations, from the northern interior to the south coast, passed a ban on the transportation of tar sands crude oil through the Fraser watershed in December 2010.
• The Union of BC Indian Chiefs and the First Nations Summit, provincial organizations whose memberships represent the overwhelming majority of BC First Nations, both passed resolutions opposing the Enbridge pipeline and tankers project at their provincial assemblies.
• The national Assembly of First Nations, including National Chief Shawn A-in-chut Atleo, expressed opposition to the project in December 2010.

• The National Energy Board Joint Review Panel assessing the Enbridge Northern Gateway pipeline and tankers project has no representation from British Columbia. The members of the panel lack experience in the region, with coastal issues in BC, and with northern BC's unique salmon habitat issues.
• By contrast, the review panel for the Mackenzie Gas Pipeline of a similar length had seven members, of which four were drawn from NWT First Nations and Inuvialuit communities that could be directly impacted by the project.
• The Joint Review Panel's January 19 ruling on the issues it will consider indicates that it will overlook critical issues raised by the proposed pipeline and tankers, which need to be considered in order to make a fully-informed decision about the Enbridge project. For example, the Enbridge environmental assessment:
• will NOT consider the broad climate change and greenhouse gas implications of the project and the related increase in tar sands production, or the impact of the Enbridge project on Canada’s international commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions;
• will NOT consider the land, water, air, health and social impacts of the increased tar sands developments facilitated by this pipeline;
• will NOT consider the environmental and climate change impacts of burning the oil and fuel that travels through Enbridge pipelines and tankers; and,
• will NOT consider the question of whether this tar sands pipeline scheme should be a part of Canada’s energy future, given the need to transition away from fossil fuels.
• The Joint Review Panel will also not consider the broader implications of opening up the north coast of BC to crude oil tankers for the first time.