by Miriam Katawazi / rabble.ca
On Tuesday night, numerous British Columbians rallied against the federal government’s approval of the Enbridge Northern Gateway Pipeline.
According to the Global News, protesters gathered in downtown Vancouver to show their disapproval by carrying signs and chanting, “No pipelines,” and “Defend Our Coast.”
Protesters stood across from the main Vancouver library and the CBC Vancouver building, reported the Huffington Post. Two other rallies also took place in Kitimat, where the 1,200km pipeline is expected to end. Another rally was also organized in downtown Victoria.
According to The Globe and Mail, Grand Chief Stewart Phillip told reporters that Prime Minister Stephen Harper would be met with protests if he ever visited the province. He told The Globe and Mail, “There’s been a lot of chatter about that today. Given the fact that, in our view, Harper has declared war on British Columbians and First Nations, he will absolutely not be welcome into this province in the future.”
The Toronto Star reports that many First Nations across the province, including the Unist’ot’en Clan who have refused all pipeline projects, disapprove of the pipeline on their territorial lands.
According to the CBC, the B.C. Environment Minister Mary Polak said the provincial government has not changed its decision to say no to the pipeline. Polak said that the project has only met one out of the five conditions laid out by the premier of the province, Christy Clark. Just yesterday, the first condition was met, the recommendations by National Energy Board Joint Review Panel before the project proceeds.
The $7.9-billion project, between the Alberta oil sands and the B.C. coast, is subject to 209 conditions by the National Energy Board. Regardless, of the federal government’s approval, the B.C government still has the ability to deny or grant permits necessary for its construction.
However, numerous activists, citizens, organizations and First Nations remain determined to stop the Northern Gateway Pipeline through protest, court challenges, referendums and civil engagement.
Miriam Katawazi is a fourth-year journalism and human rights student at Carleton University and rabble’s news intern. She has a strong passion for human rights and social justice in Canada and across the world. Her writing focuses on health, labour, education and human rights beats.
Photo: flickr/Chris Yakimov
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