‘Extremist element’
Predictions of pipeline protest violence derided by organizers
Pro-pipeline activists who hit the streets in increasing numbers this year to try to drown out anti-pipeline picketers plan to continue to confront their adversaries, even in the face of predictions of protest line violence.
Stay-at-home mom and part-time activist Nicole Wapple, 37, of Red Deer, Alta., has been posting information on social media and occasionally taking part in protests for about two years since cofounding Rally4resources, a self-described grassroots organization.
The group invites pipeline supporters to rallies so their chants of “Build that pipe!” can counter the many voices shouting, “Say no to pipelines!” as uncertainty continues to plague the Trans Mountain oil pipeline expansion project.
The mother of three whose husband works in oil and gas was stunned by a recent suggestion that such confrontations could lead to injury or death.
“I want to believe that it’s
far-fetched and if it’s not I’m absolutely flabbergasted,” she said. “Why would anyone die over a pipeline? Or be willing to die over a pipeline? That’s absurd!”
The federal government’s recent deal to buy the existing pipeline and its expansion project from Kinder Morgan Canada Ltd. for $4.5 billion prompted some pipeline proponents to wonder if Ottawa will be willing to complete its construction in the face of
fierce opposition that could result in people putting their lives on the line.
“There are some people that are going to die in protesting construction of this pipeline,” former Bank of Canada governor David Dodge told media in Edmonton earlier this month following an event by his employer, law firm Bennett Jones. Dodge declined a request for an interview to confirm and explain the quote.
Wapple’s group has been teaming up with Canadaaction.ca, a pro-resource development group founded by Calgary real estate agent Cody Battershill about eight years ago, to encourage oil and gas supporters to come out whenever antipipeline forces gather.
The groups managed to field dozens of supporters at rallies at the Calgary annual general meetings of pipeline builders Enbridge Inc. and Kinder Morgan earlier this year.
Their most successful rally took place in March in Vancouver — although its turnout of about 500 supporters was dwarfed by the 5,000 that came to a major anti-pipeline rally on the same day.
Canadaaction.ca has “zero tolerance” for violence and encourages respectful behaviour at all times, Battershill said, but added he doesn’t trust the other side when it comes to confrontation.
“I certainly hope (there’s no violence) but we’ve certainly seen a real extremist element in and amongst the Greenpeaces of the world that are willing to trespass and break the law. We have to make sure that as a country we are enforcing the rule of law.”