November anti-pipeline rally in Vancouver

An estimated 3,000 to 4,000 people rallied in Vancouver on November 16 in opposition to the Northern Gateway tar sands pipeline. It was a strong expression of the ‘wall of opposition’ that the Alberta, BC and federal governments are facing as they try to push through acceptance of the project, including gaining formal approval of the National Energy Board.

The rally was organized by a coalition of environmental groups. Ben West of Forest Ethics chaired the event. One of the keynote speakers was Art Sterritt of Coastal First Nations. Unlike the large, anti-pipeline event in Victoria last October, there was no march in the streets.

The rally was part of a day of action across Canada against oil and tar sands bitumen pipelines. One thousand people rallied in Victoria. Dozens of smaller protests and information events took place across BC the same day. Some 130 events in total were held across Canada.

The NEB has been conducting public hearings on Northern Gateway since the beginning of 2012, including examining the environmental impacts of the line. It is due to make a recommendation to the federal government next month. If it says ‘no’, the government can brandish the argument of ‘vital national interest’ and approve the project anyway.

A second tar sands pipeline in BC is proposed by Kinder Morgan. That proposal was not addressed at the Nov 16 rally.

Read the articles below for further context.

Video and Article by Krystle Alarcon

Clark's 'Now You See It, Now You Don't' Coastal Protection Plan, Robyn Allan, November 18, 2013

People power can defeat Enbridge, Ben West, November 13, 2013

What’s really behind the premier’s ‘framework agreement’, Andrew Coyne, Vancouver Sun, November 11, 2013

See our “Pipelines” and “BC” section of our website for more articles.