If you’re concerned about the Kinder Morgan pipeline running through Burnaby, this is your last chance to have your voice heard. The three-person ministerial panel is at the Hilton Vancouver Metrotown this week, and the last day to attend is Thursday. (See page 9 for times.)
This panel is what the Liberals have delivered, following their pre-election vows to fix the broken National Energy Board system.
We understand it’s part of a new, parallel process for pipeline projects already underway, and it’s not meant to fix the NEB – there will be more changes coming, we’re told. But even so, we’ve already heard complaints from community members and the mayor’s office that this panel’s organizers have not been forthcoming about the speakers’ list, making things a bit of a mystery.
We tried to get information on who was speaking and when, just to plan when to send a reporter, and we were told the same thing – the information is not available. That means the three days of hearings will be a bit of a surprise.
What’s interesting is there are two sessions dedicated to local government, yet the City of Burnaby has only been invited to one of those. We’re curious who will show up to the other session, for instance. What we do know is Mayor Derek Corrigan is set to speak on Tuesday afternoon, after NOWdeadlines. We’re still waiting for that photo op of Corrigan throwing himself in front of a bulldozer to stop the pipeline.
Burnaby Residents Opposing Kinder Morgan Expansion, better known as BROKE, will be speaking on Wednesday. The town hall meeting on Thursday will include some residents from an east Burnaby housing complex sandwiched between two possible pipeline routes, and anti-pipeline activists have also been rallying the community to attend.
One thing we applaud about these panel consultations is they are more open than the NEB hearings. While the NEB only let vetted participants in, these three days are open to anyone and everyone.
That’s why we want to give you an extra push to get out there and have your say. This is without a doubt the biggest project to impact Burnaby in a long time, and if built, it will be running oil through our community and driving up tanker traffic for years to come.
So come on, Burnaby. Make sure you speak up loud and clear. And to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the rest of the Liberal caucus: we hope you’re listening.
