More than 1,200 British Columbians have signed an online petition that calls on the Trudeau government to reject the Trans Mountain expansion project.
Kennedy Stewart, MP for Burnaby South, presented e-petition No. 128 in the House of Commons on Monday.
“The petitioners say this project brings too much risk to land and surface waters and aquifers along the route, and they’re saying the export of diluted bitumen by Kinder Morgan threatens the future of the planet through climate change,” he said. “Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker, and I hope the government takes this seriously.”
On May 19, the National Energy Board recommended the federal government approve Kinder Morgan’s proposal to twin the Trans Mountain pipeline as long as 157 conditions are met. It was a “difficult” decision, one that came after more than two years of hearings.
“The board is of the view that overall, with the implementation of Trans Mountain’s environmental protection procedures and mitigation, and the board’s recommended conditions, the project would not likely cause significant environmental effects,” said Robert Steedman, the NEB’s chief environment officer in a pre-written statement read to media via teleconference from Calgary.
Whether or not the project goes ahead is up to the Liberal cabinet, which is expected to make a final decision in December.
As for the e-petition – which had 1,942 signatures in total – the federal government must now provide a written response on the House of Commons’ website within 45 days.
-with files from Jennifer Moreau
