Northern B.C. NDP MP Nathan Cullen again called on the federal government to ban tanker traffic off the north coast of B.C., an effort to draw attention to the issue on World Oceans Day.
"The voice of British Columbia First Nations, municipal leaders and residents are incredibly strong and united on the urgent need for a legislated tanker ban," the Skeena-Bulkley Valley MP said Wednesday.
The Conservative federal government, which now holds a majority, has refuted the need for a tanker ban. During the spring election, Prime Minister Stephen Harper said he would not enact a tanker ban.
A tanker ban would have significant implications for Northern B.C. and western Canada. A ban would put a halt to Enbridge's $5.5-billion Northern Gateway oil pipeline, which would open up access to Asia for crude from the Alberta oil sands.
Cullen, who also opposes the Enbridge project, noted that polls show that between 75 per cent and 80 per cent of British Columbians support a ban on tankers off the north coast. The Union of B.C. Municipalities also passed a motion last year supporting a ban, said Cullen, the NDP's natural resources critic.
The 1,170-kilometre pipeline terminates at Kitimat, where more than 200 tankers a year would transport the oil overseas, primarily to China. The Canadian oil industry is supportive of a major push to diversify into new markets because Canada is captive to the U.S. market.
The proposed route will take the pipeline just north of Prince George and just south of Fort St. James. The pipeline has a capacity to carry 525,000 barrels of oil a day. The project includes a smaller, twin pipeline that will carry condensate back to Alberta. Condensate is used to thin crude oil for transport in pipelines.
Calgary-based Enbridge has touted the economic benefits of the pipeline, and said it will be built and operated to the highest safety standards.
The controversial project has attracted significant opposition from First Nations, environmental groups, some communities in Northern B.C., as well as some tourism and fishery groups.
The main concern is the risk of a spill on the pipeline or from a tanker, and the subsequent damage to the environment. Critics have said any economic benefits are not worth the risks.
A federal panel reviewing the project has scheduled public hearings beginning in January 2012.
