Pipeline opponents hold forum

Provincial NDP environment critic Rob Fleming will headline a panel of Enbridge Northern Gateway pipeline opponents speaking Thursday night at UNBC.

Local NDP candidates Sherry Ogasawara and Bobby Deepak will moderate the discussion, which will feature First Nations representatives, community groups and academics.

“Enbridge has been something folks have been talking about for a while and we wanted to hear from different groups and the public about their concerns about [the pipeline],” said Ogasawara,who is running for the NDP in Prince George-Valemount. “Rob Fleming is really wanting to hear what the people in the north are wanting to express in terms of their concerns.”

In addition to taking part in the panel, Fleming will also attend some of the National Energy Board hearings in the Northern Gateway project on Thursday prior to taking part in the panel. Enbridge is seeking approval to build an 1,177 km twin crude oil and condenstate pipeline from Alberta’s oilsands to Kitimat.

The NDP have been strong opponents of the pipeline. Earlier this year, leader Adrian Dix wrote a letter to the Joint Review Panel explaining why his party was against the project.

“After consideration, we have concluded that the environmental, economic and social risks associated with the [Northern Gateway project] simply outweigh the benefits,” Dix wrote, in part. “This is in large part due to the increase in oil tanker traffic along the northern British Columbia coast.”

If elected next year, Dix said his government would opt out of the joint review process and instead initiate a made-in-B.C. environmental assessment.

UNBC chemistry professor and Citizen columnist Todd Whitcombe will join Fleming on the six-member panel and will present his views on the risks associated with the megaproject.

“As a practising chemist who has actually worked for the oil industry, I’m hoping to bring some information to the table that says, ‘this is what is going on there,’ “Whitcombe said. “My objective in this is to say, ‘Is there risk? Yes. Is it an acceptable risk? Well that’s a question of personal opinion.’”

Whitcombe said although he personally opposes the project, he’s hoping to use his participation to inform others rather than convince people to change their minds.

“Anyone who says they’re never going to have a spill, the science doesn’t hold up for that,” he said.

“The question is where, when and how bad and is that an acceptable risk?”

The panel will also include Carrier Sekani Tribal Council chief Terry Teegee, UNBC Undergraduate Student Society aboriginal representative Shalane Pauls, Stand Up For the North Committee member Peter Ewart and Sea to Sands Conservation Alliance member Josh DeLeenheer.

Ogasawara said although there’s no one on the panel who has spoken out in favour of the pipeline, anyone who supports the project is welcome to join the discussion.

“If people are coming in [to the event] in favour of the pipeline, that’s fantastic,” she said. “I think that stimulates a lot of meaningful discussion.”

Each panel member will make opening remarks and give their opinion on the project beginning at 7 p.m. at UNBC’s Weldwood lecture theatre, then the floor will be open for a moderated discussion on the issues.

Ogasawara believes the pipeline debate will play a significant role in next year’s provincial election.

With the NDP against the pipeline, the Conservatives in favour and the Liberals looking for certain conditions to be met before considering approval, voters will have a clear choice.

“It resonates with a people,” Ogasawara said.

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