OTTAWA – Elizabeth May, Leader of the Green Party of Canada and Member of Parliament for Saanich-Gulf Islands has been granted Intervenor status in the upcoming National Energy Board (NEB) hearings on the proposed Kinder Morgan Trans Mountain Pipeline Expansion Project.
May will join fellow Intervenors Adam Olsen, BC Green Party Leader, and Green MLA Andrew Weaver. Adriane Carr, Green City Councilor for Vancouver, will be attending the NEB hearings as a Commenter.
As an Intervenor, May will provide expert input at the NEB hearings both in her capacity as an environmental lawyer and a leader of the Canadian environmental movement, and on behalf of her constituents in Saanich–Gulf Islands, who stand to be significantly affected by the proposed pipeline.
“Saanich-Gulf Islands lies directly in the route of the bitumen-loaded tankers that would service the proposed projects,” said the Green Leader. “As such, my constituents are deeply concerned about this project and expect me to represent their concerns in this process.”
Kinder Morgan has applied to the National Energy Board to triple the current capacity of the Trans Mountain Pipeline, which carries dilbit, a pre-crude mix of bitumen and diluent, from northern Alberta to Burnaby, BC where it is loaded onto tankers for export to foreign markets. This proposed expansion carries a number of significant risks, including the increased likelihood of a devastating tanker spill on the BC coast.
“I have worked in the environmental movement in Canada as a volunteer, staff, expert and environmental lawyer since 1975, I have extensive experience working with small communities dependent on natural resources, such as fishing, forestry and tourism, and I have participated in dozens of environmental impact reviews,” said May. “I think it is absolutely necessary that my constituents have a voice at the table, but I also look forward to speaking on behalf of all British Columbians and all Canadians who are fighting to stop this pipeline.”
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Contact
Nicholas Gall
Communications Officer
Green Party of Canada
(613) 614 4916
nicholas.gall@greenparty.ca