Energy and Climate Change

VANCOUVER – Ecojustice,  Raincoast Conservation Foundation and Living Oceans Society— conservation groups who fought the approval of the Trans Mountain pipeline project in a historic hearing last October — are calling today’s Federal Court of Appeal ruling “a critical win” for endangered killer whales, communities, the climate and the coast.

In a decision announced this morning, the court unanimously ruled that the federal government’s approval of the project violated its legal obligations to protect endangered orcas under the Species at Risk Act.

Vancouver: Reports are surfacing today of an oil spill that apparently occurred early Wednesday morning near Port Mellon in Howe Sound, near the site of the Howe Sound Pulp and Paper Mill when a derelict barge sank. It is presently unclear how much oil was aboard; early estimates place the visible spill at 200 litres.

Vancouver:  Living Oceans said today that its relief over the final demise of the Enbridge Northern Gateway pipeline and tanker project is tainted by the approval of two new pipelines that spell the end of Canada’s brief resurgence as a climate leader. “This places the Trudeau government squarely in the same room with the oil lobbyists, pitting it against British Columbia’s First Nations and communities.

Vancouver:  Living Oceans Society reacted to today’s announcement on west coast marine safety with chagrin, noting that the government still seems to believe we can have our cake and eat it, too. “You can throw all the money you want at it,” said Executive Director Karen Wristen.  “Dilbit still won't float.  And there is no strategy that will prevent additional shipping from creating noise that disrupts Killer Whales.  It's clear we can't have pipeline and tanker projects AND Southern Resident Killer Whale recovery."

Living Oceans welcomed the release today of the Ministerial Panel's report on the Trans Mountain Pipeline, observing that the panel posed penetrating questions that the government will be expected to answer in rendering its decision on the controversial pipeline and tanker project.