SAVOIE JOINS NDP TANKER BAN CAMPAIGN
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JUNE 8, 2011
OTTAWA – Victoria MP Denise Savoie joined with her federal New Democrat colleagues in reviving the campaign to ban oil tanker traffic off BC’s north coast.
Savoie first tabled a tanker ban motion in Parliament in 2007. Her three-year campaign succeeded last December when the House of Commons passed a similar motion on an NDP opposition day.
“I paddled in Prince William Sound years after the Exxon Valdez disaster, and there were still remnants of crude oil gummed onto the rocks,” said Savoie. “And as I’ve paddled up and down the north coast over the past few years, it breaks my heart to think that these pristine waters are at risk of a similar disaster. It’s time to end the ambiguity and formalize the tanker ban.”
The NDP campaign release is below.
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For more information, please contact:
Hilary Stead, Office of Denise Savoie: 250-363-3657 or
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NDP STAND WITH MAJORITY OF BC TO BAN TANKER TRAFFIC OFF NORTH COAST
New Democrat legislation would protect ecosystem and economies of coastal communities
OTTAWA—Today, on World Oceans Day, Canada’s New Democrats call on the federal government to respect the majority wishes of British Columbians by immediately legislating an oil tanker ban off BC’s north coast.
“A minor oil spill off BC’s north coast would devastate the ecosystem, the fishery and coastal communities,” said New Democrat Fisheries and Oceans Critic Fin Donnelly. “That why it’s time to introduce legislation to permanently ban tanker traffic.”
A poll conducted in April 2011 reconfirmed results showing that 80% of British Columbians are opposed to oil tanker traffic off the rugged north coast. First Nations, community groups and residents have been clear in their desire for a legislated ban, yet the government continues to push forward with this plan.
“Harper must respect the majority that counts when it comes to our coastline,” said Nathan Cullen (Skeena-Bulkely Valley). “Winning a majority of seats in the House of Commons does not give you the right to overrule the will of a majority of British Columbians, First Nations, and municipalities that are clear in saying: no to tankers off our northern coast and no to a pipeline that brings our region few benefits and tremendous risks.”
The proposed Enbridge pipeline, slated to run from the Alberta tar sands to the BC coast, would bring more than 225 oil supertankers yearly through to the dangerous and remote northern BC coast, placing this diverse and fragile ecosystem at risk.
“The federal government must listen to the will of British Columbians and protect our coastline,” said Donnelly. “We must act in the best interest of our future generations and legislate a tanker ban in the Dixon Entrance, Hecate Strait and Queen Charlotte Sound.”
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