Nikki Skuce ForestEthics Senior Energy Campaigner comments on election results

Election results show that majority of British Columbians support a tanker ban for the North Coast. The Conservatives are the only party that do not support a tanker ban for northern BC and despite them winning 21 seats in British Columbia, the NDP, Liberal and Green Parties, who all promised to enact an oil tanker ban, received 54% of total votes in BC (CBC interactive map).

"The results of this election show that an oil tanker ban for BC's north coast is strongly supported and played a key factor in some ridings across the province," says Nikki Skuce, ForestEthics Senior Energy Campaigner. "British Columbians want a coast free of oil spills."

The tanker ban issue was a key topic in all-candidates debates, media and social media throughout the election in BC. Enbridge CEO Pat Daniel, whose Northern Gateway proposal is the most imminent threat to the coast, spoke out vocally at the beginning of the election against a tanker ban. Given the results in British Columbia, all parties should work together toward ensuring our coastal treasure remains free of oil tankers.

"MP Joyce Murray's re-election sends a strong signal that leadership to protect our coast is a big win for everyone. We are looking forward to her on-going leadership on keeping the North coast free of oil tankers ," said Skuce.

"MP Nathan Cullen's re-election also sends a powerful message that leadership to protect our coast is a win for everyone. Voters in Skeena-Bulkley Valley, residents most directly impacted by Enbridge's pipeline proposal, clearly chose Cullen as the leader that would take action and ban oil tankers off our coast," said Skuce.