In her Jan. 21 column, (A Distasteful Game) Robyn Allan makes a number of false claims that need to be corrected.
First, Ms. Allan says there is no "credible or reliable" evidence that Canada is losing $50 million a day owing to a lack of overseas markets for Canadian oil. Not true. In September 2013, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce released a lengthy and comprehensive study citing the work of the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, the Canadian Energy Research Institute, and the Canada West Foundation concluding that Canada is losing up to $50 million a day selling our oil to only one customer.
Second, Ms. Allan says she was an "expert witness on insurance and risk" at the Joint Review Panel hearings. Also, not true. Ms. Allan was accepted as an expert witness at the JRP hearings, but not on the subject of risk, which is a highly-specialized area of expertise.
And finally, Ms. Allan would like British Columbians to believe Northern Gateway is not working to meet the province's five conditions for oil pipeline development. Once again, not true. Northern Gateway is committed to working with the province to meet its conditions and the high standards all British Columbians have for the project - including economic benefits. I am a British Columbian, as are many of the people working on this project. As British Columbians we fully support the principle that B.C. must receive its fair share - it's in everyone's interest.
Ivan Giesbrecht
Manager, Communications
Northern Gateway
Enbridge Inc.
Vancouver
