Sixteen former and current members of the Prime Minister’s Youth Council are asking Prime Minister Justin Trudeau not to buy the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion and publically condemn violent threats against protesters.
The youth released a scathing open letter Monday criticizing plans for the $4.5-billion buyout, an uncommon move for members of the Prime Minister’s own council.
In May, the federal government announced it would purchase the Trans Mountain pipeline system and the expansion project for $4.5 billion, and work with the Kinder Morgan to seek a third party buyer through July 22, 2018.
But Trudeau’s commitments to addressing climate change and reconciliation were significant factors in drawing the youth vote in the 2015 election, and buying the pipeline would damage support with young voters, according to the open letter.
Those who signed the letter asked Trudeau to cancel the buyout, and to promise not to use militarized police in confrontations with protesters.
“Recent national rhetoric has suggested that the federal government should be prepared to kill protesters to build the pipeline,” states the letter. “We call on you to condemn such rhetoric and promise not to involve militarized police forces or escalate violence in any way.”
The group said the project infringes on Indigenous rights, and poses significant environmental threats to British Columbia's coast.
They also asked that Trudeau hold a special session with the council and allow youth from affected groups to join. Federal ministers of natural resources, environment and finance, among others, should also attend the meeting, according to the letter.
The group plans to submit the letter to the Prime Minister in the coming weeks.
The PMYC, a non-partisan advisory board to the Prime Minister, and is made up of 30 youth between the ages of 16 and 23.
