With a decision on the proposed Trans Mountain expansion looming, Burnaby Mounties say it’s too early to know if there will be protests in the city despite some groups already planning them.
Burnaby RCMP Staff Sgt. Maj. John Buis told the NOW police are taking a “wait-and-see approach.”
“We prepare for all sorts of contingencies. We have plans in place for just about everything, from earthquakes, you name it, natural disasters. But then we also have to take a look at where these (events) are taking place and what kind of threat there is to anyone or any property,” he said. “It’s too early (to say) because we haven’t even received notification that it’s been approved and there’s all sorts of things that would happen in the meantime.”
The federal government, which recently announced a $1.5-billion Oceans Protection Plan, is expected to make a decision on the Kinder Morgan project by Dec. 19.
Buis said he’s unsure if there will be unrest in Burnaby if the pipeline gets the green light.
“How long do you think it’ll take, even if it was approved tomorrow, for the pipeline to be actually constructed in Burnaby? Probably five to ten years, given the court processes and all the rest of it. … I’m probably going to be retired by the time that happens, in five years’ time,” he said. “I don’t know, and I can’t look into a crystal ball to see exactly what’s going to take place in the next few years, but we need to wait to see if it’s actually approved.”
The Mountie doesn’t anticipate future protests to be a strain on resources. If need be, Buis said Burnaby RCMP can call in reinforcements from other municipalities, like they did during the November 2014 Burnaby Mountain protests. Police units included the Lower Mainland Integrated Tactical Troupe, aboriginal policing from E-division, the Lower Mainland Emergency Response Team, a team of negotiators and the Integrated Forensic Identification Team. Police kept a 24-hour presence on the mountain in the conservation area.
The Trudeau government hasn’t given the Burnaby RCMP a timeline on its decision, according to Buis.
Elsie Dean, one of the founding members of Burnaby Residents Opposed to Kinder Morgan Expansion, said the group will protest in December if Kinder Morgan gets the nod.
“People are fairly determined, BROKE is determined and we will be protesting. There’s no doubt about it,” she said, noting locations have yet to be determined but they’ll most likely be along the pipeline’s route.
She said BROKE will be rallying with other municipalities and First Nations groups on Nov. 19 in Vancouver. They will march from city hall across the Cambie Bridge, and pledge to resist the Trans Mountain pipeline with civil disobedience if necessary.
“BROKE members are very energized and willing and ready,” said Dean.
-with files from Jennifer Moreau
