(OTTAWA) September 29, 2016 – Elizabeth May, Leader of the Green Party of Canada (MP, Saanich-Gulf Islands), filed a submission today to the ministerial panel appointed to conduct further consultation on Kinder Morgan’s Trans Mountain Pipeline project:
“As an intervenor in the NEB hearings on the Kinder Morgan Trans Mountain expansion project, I was the only MP to appear before the NEB to make a final argument. I have now submitted my concerns to the special ministerial panel ahead of its recommendation to Cabinet,” Ms. May said.
“Trans Mountain has not been reviewed by any regulatory body or agency to assess if it is in Canada’s economic interest. In response to a challenge by UNIFOR, the NEB refused to consider the economy, job creation or economic benefit stating it was beyond the scope of the hearing,” Ms. May said.
“On top of this, Liberal campaign promises included respectful nation to nation relationships with First Nations; evidence-based decision-making; science-based decision-making; and action to reduce greenhouse gases. Should the Trans Mountain pipeline be approved, the Trudeau administration will violate all four of these promises.
“Transporting diluted bitumen to the coast for tanker transport to offshore refineries is simply not worth the environmental risk for an unproven claim of economic benefits. Canadians expect this government to fix our environmental review process and say no to dilbit pipelines and tankers.”
The deadline to complete a public questionnaire or email comments for submission to the special panel is Friday, Sept. 30. The final Cabinet decision on the Kinder Morgan Trans Mountain pipeline project is expected on or before Dec. 19, 2016.
Read Ms. May’s submission to the special panel and her intervenor testimony transcript here.