Civil Society Organizations Oppose Northwest Coast Oil Pipeline and Tankers

Over 40 civil society organizations across Canada have issued a joint declaration standing with Coastal First Nations in opposition to a northwest coast crude oil pipeline and tankers project.

Joint declaration by civil society organizations working to secure a safe climate system, protect marine and freshwater and uphold Indigenous rights and sovereignty

We stand with Coastal First Nations who oppose a northwest coast crude oil pipeline and tankers project. The north Pacific coastal ecosystem is globally significant and a major economic driver in the region. The waters oil tankers would navigate are treacherous and the consequences of a catastrophic oil spill are unacceptable. The Oil Tanker Moratorium Act is the result of decades of work by Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities to protect the marine environment and stands as a legal symbol of Crown-Indigenous reconciliation.

It is not in the national interest to pursue a project that pits province against province, runs roughshod over Indigenous rights, and puts local economies and north Pacific coastal and marine ecosystems at risk.

A north coast oil pipeline and tanker traffic would:

• Risk devastating consequences to the economy, communities, fisheries and wildlife of BC from a catastrophic oil spill
• Make a mockery of Canada’s commitment to reconciliation
• Put Canada’s climate and nature targets even further out of reach
• Distract Canada from the energy transition and from investing in real climate competitiveness

A pipeline makes no sense – there is no proponent, no market, no plan, and no consent from impacted Nations.

A decade ago Canada tried a grand bargain with Alberta. The government bought the Trans Mountain Expansion Project in exchange for Alberta’s ineffective carbon pricing system, which Premier Smith recently weakened. There is no reason to believe a new grand bargain would turn out any better.

We reject the notion that this represents a bargain in any way.

• The Pathways CCUS project would not offset the emissions from expanded production necessary to fill a new or expanded bitumen pipeline.
• Strengthened industrial carbon pricing is necessary, but it would not offset an increase in emissions from increased oil and gas production.
• Taxpayers have paid $40 billion into the purchase and construction of TMX. We do not accept more taxpayer subsidies for oil and gas facilities or for carbon capture. 

This isn’t nation-building – it’s nation betraying: A betrayal of our children’s future, a betrayal of Indigenous Peoples, and a betrayal of Canadians who overwhelmingly continue to support climate action.

Canadians want clean energy, affordable housing, and clean transportation. Not another pipeline.

Signatories

^{Top photo: Brodie Guy via Flickr Creative Commons}