Energy and Climate Change

Vancouver:  In an unprecedented statement released today, Living Oceans joins the American Fisheries Society (AFS) and 110 aquatic scientific societies representing more than 80,000 scientists across the world to sound a climate change alarm.  The societies call for drastically curtailed global greenhouse gas emissions to avoid the worst impacts of man-made climate change to fish and aquatic ecosystems.

VANCOUVER:Living Oceans has stated in a submission to the National Energy Board (NEB) that Trans Mountain cannot commence construction until it fulfills a condition set by the NEB to show commercial support.

“The NEB’s conditions require Trans Mountain to prove commercial support exists for the project,” said Karen Wristen, Executive Director for Living Oceans. “But that was done under the old certificate that was set aside by the Courts and is no longer valid.  This condition must be met again under the new certificate issued by NEB.”

The groups submitted a motion to the Federal Court of Appeal this morning, asking for leave to launch a judicial review of Cabinet’s decision.

They argue that Cabinet failed to comply with its responsibility to protect critically endangered Southern Resident killer whales when it re-approved the project on June 18, 2019.

Spokespeople from the organizations issued the following statements:

Margot Venton, nature program director, Ecojustice:

Living Oceans is appalled by the re-approval of the Trans Mountain Pipeline project, coming as it does hard on the heels of a declaration by the federal government of a climate emergency.

“The facts are well known: it is impossible for Canada to meet its Paris climate commitments and build oil infrastructure with a 50-year lifespan as well,” said Executive Director Karen Wristen. “This is a mistake for the economy and the environment.”