The Alberta and federal governments are proposing a costly new west coast pipeline and tanker project – funded by taxpayers – crossing BC and terminating on the south coast at Roberts Bank.
This project carries significant risks and impacts for the wildlife, ecosystems and communities along its route, including the iconic critically-endangered southern resident killer whales and the densely-populated cities of the Lower Mainland.
Despite promises that a new west coast pipeline would be funded by the private sector, Prime Minister Carney and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith plan to commit tens of billions of taxpayer dollars to this project, before any environmental review or public cost-benefit analysis, and without letting Canadians have a say in the decision.
With an estimated cost of $35.2 to $43.7 billion, this project could end up being another massive, publicly-funded gift to the wealthy oil corporations who are raking in profits at the pump – even greater than the Trans Mountain Expansion (TMX) project, which cost taxpayers more than $34 billion.
Instead of spending that money on addressing important challenges Canadians are facing related to housing, hospital wait times, grocery prices and clean drinking water on Indigenous reserves, our federal government is essentially writing a blank cheque to the oil industry – during a time when people across the country are dealing with rising climate impacts like floods, heat waves, wildfires and extreme weather.
Prime Minister Carney says Canada cannot afford to meet its climate targets. But what we really cannot afford is to spend tens of billions of taxpayer funds on a new pipeline project during a climate crisis.
Let’s ensure our elected officials hear this message loud and clear.
Use the tool below to send a message to your MP, Prime Minister Carney, Cabinet Ministers and the Major Projects Office, urging them to abandon plans for a west coast pipeline and tankers project.
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Top photo: Stephanie Racine (iStock)