Petitions opposing LNG and fracking in B.C. delivered at Canada Gas Exhibition and Conference

VANCOUVER | UNCEDED xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (MUSQUEAM), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (SQUAMISH) AND səlilwətaɬ (TSLEIL-WAUTUTH) TERRITORIES —  May 8, 2024: Representatives of five of B.C.’s largest environmental organizations gathered outside of the B.C. Cabinet Offices today to deliver over 110,000 petition signatures in  opposition to fracking and LNG expansion. Oil and gas executives are meeting at the nearby Vancouver Convention Center for an annual conference to promote the industry. This will be the third year in a row that this conference has been greeted by protests.

Today’s petition delivery of 113,987 signatures by Stand.earth, Wilderness Committee, Dogwood BC, My Sea To Sky and the David Suzuki Foundation sends a strong message to the oil and gas industry and the B.C. government: Tens of thousands of people know that the risk of building more fossil fuel projects is simply too great. The climate science — combined with the deteriorating economic outlook for LNG — should make the choice clear for the B.C. government in charting a course to a livable planet for all. The majority, 76,336 signatures, come from residents of B.C.

Inside the Canada Gas Exhibition and Conference fossil fuel executives will be arguing for a massive expansion of LNG export projects up and down B.C.'s coastline, which will lead to a boom in new fracking wells drilled in the Peace River Valley. They do so as market prospects for B.C. LNG fade, bringing the rapidly growing possibility of stranded assets for all LNG projects now being considered in the province.

With yet another record breaking wildfire season looming and global temperatures continuing to rise, protesters will gather outside the conference to make it clear to the oil and gas lobbyists gathered inside that there is no room for their increasingly lethal products in a climate safe world.

Prior to the press conference and petition delivery, activists painted a temporary mural at the same location to draw attention to the growing movement of opposition to fracking and LNG.

Speaking about the urgency of the moment and the importance of the petitions being delivered today, Stand.earth’s Senior Oil and Gas Campaigner Kiki Wood said, “The voices of more than 75,000 British Columbians are here with us today to demand an end to fracking and LNG buildout. The science is clear that fossil fuel expansion – including BC LNG – will lead to runaway climate change globally. We demand accountability from our elected officials, and the gas executives meeting here today to put a climate-safe future for British Columbians before corporate profits."

Peter McCartney, Wilderness Committee’s Climate Campaigner said, “As the climate crisis brings drought, wildfires, heat waves, floods and storms to every corner of the province, the BC NDP government’s pursuit of new LNG terminals and an explosion of fracking is unacceptable. It’s time the province had a plan to end gas extraction and support the communities and workers who rely on it to transition to a clean economy.”

Alexandra Woodsworth, Dogwood’s Organizing Director said, “As oil and gas executives gather to greenwash their dirty product and lobby for more support from politicians, let's remember that the majority of British Columbians want to see our province invest in renewables, not more LNG. Communities want to be kept safe from the fires, floods, boom-and-bust jobs and rising bills that more fracking and LNG will bring to this province. It’s time for the B.C. government to stand up for safe communities, not fracking companies.”

Severn Cullis-Suzuki, Executive Director for the David Suzuki Foundation said, “expanding the LNG industry means putting billions of dollars into a sunsetting industry and the growing risk of stranded assets - along with the unacceptable risk of making the climate crisis worse. Our elected leaders should not spend one more penny supporting fossil fuel projects. There is a path to a clean economy powered by renewable energy and there is no place for LNG on that path.”

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For more information and media interviews, contact:

Peter McCartney | Climate Campaigner

778-239-1935, peter@wildernesscommittee.org

High res photos/videos available for media use will be uploaded here.