B.C. Green leader predicts unrest

Continued from FP1

“I think it’s important that he makes that argument here, in British Columbia, where so many people are passionate on either side of the project,” Clark said.

It’s a politically risky move for Clark and she will need all the help she can get. She faces an election next May that is sure to be disrupted by anti-pipeline protests. Green groups, municipal and opposition leaders and aboriginal leaders have slammed Trudeau’s approval, which they say increases the risk of oil spills due to increased tanker traffic.

The David Suzuki Foundation, Stand.earth, SumOfUs, Greenpeace, West Coast Environmental Law, the Sierra Club and Dogwood Initiative are among the groups that have threatened an array of measures, including a provincial referendum, civil disobedience, lawsuits and construction disruption.

Clark said she hopes voters will reward her for articulating a clear and principled position on pipelines and sticking with it until all her demands were met.

Besides, she added, “Our coast is more at risk today with a totally inadequate coast guard response, than it will be a few years from now, when we have a much better coast response and perhaps more oil movement in our area.”

Other B.C. politicians stuck to their uncompromising views and even incited unlawful behaviour, despite Trudeau’s assurance that “we have made this decision because we are convinced it is safe for B.C. and it is the right one for Canada.”

Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson said he would continue to oppose the project because it “doesn’t make sense for our economic or environmental future” and predicted opposition would get ugly.

B.C. Green Leader Andrew Weaver said “the social unrest on this issue will be something we’ve never seen in British Columbia.” Burnaby Mayor Derek Corrigan said he hoped civil disobedience would be done peacefully. Federal Green Leader Elizabeth May said she was ready to go to jail fighting the project.

Meanwhile, they brushed off their significant successes: B.C.’s Christy Clark is taking a risk with an election near.