Protest urges back out, not bailout

Dozens show up outside MP Stephen Fuhr’s office after feds buy pipeline

Dozens of people gathered in downtown Kelowna on Monday afternoon to protest the Liberals’ recent decision to buy the Trans Mountain pipeline and its various assets for $4.5 billion.

The protest took place outside Kelowna-Lake Country MP Stephen Fuhr’s office, as people carried signs stating “Justin sold his kids out,” “water is life,” and “dilbit sinks.”

“All of these people are gathered here just like people in hundreds of different areas across the country to voice their displeasure with Justin Trudeau’s buyout of the Trans Mountain pipeline,” said Korry Zepik, organizer of the protest.

Zepik said he delivered a petition with 100,000 signatures to Fuhr’s office Monday, protesting the pipeline expansion project.

“We want to . . . cause enough people to realize just how bad this pipeline is economically and for the environment and for human rights,” said Zepik. “Once we do that, we will be able to have enough people to get Trudeau to back out of his offer to buy.”

Zepik said his biggest concern with the pipeline is that it is going to “drive climate change at an accelerated rate.”

Kinder Morgan has agreed to start construction this summer as planned, and will work until July 22 trying to find another private sector buyer. If none come forward, only then will Kinder Morgan take Ottawa’s $4.5-billion offer to its shareholders.

Pending their approval, the sale would be finalized sometime in August or September.

“In the next month until they ratify, we have an opportunity to take the offer back, and that’s what I think we should do,” said Zepik.

More than 100 rallies were held across the country on Monday.