News Release

BURNABY, BC – The National Energy Board (NEB) begins hearings today as part of the federal review for the proposed Kinder Morgan Trans Mountain pipeline, in the face of serious public concerns about the process and its lack of credibility.

In August, the Wilderness Committee joined 33 individuals and another organization to withdraw from the flawed federal review process, citing its various failures – such as limiting public participation and allowing proponents to withhold important information.

“It’s disheartening that we are going forward with the same old, broken process,” said Wilderness Committee Climate Campaigner Peter McCartney. “British Columbians were promised new hearings because we have no faith in the NEB to adequately assess the risks associated with this tar sands pipeline.”

The National Energy Board has been repeatedly criticized for its “biased” pipeline reviews, which do not allow for proponents like Kinder Morgan to be cross-examined and fail to consider the impact that tar sands pipelines will have on the climate. Even Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has acknowledged the shortcomings of the current pipeline review process, promising before the election that his new government would engage in a more open and fair process that considers upstream impacts and greenhouse gas emissions.

“A new federal government has allowed the hearings to proceed, even though it admits the process needs to be redone,” said McCartney. “How can Canadians have any confidence in this process if even the Prime Minister says it’s lacking?”

The Kinder Morgan pipeline remains strongly opposed by many First Nations whose territories are affected by the project, as well as local governments such as the City of Vancouver and Burnaby, and thousands of British Columbians. The BC government also recently said it cannot support the pipeline project, due to the company's failure to provide an adequate plan to prevent or respond to an oil spill.

While the hearings are going on this week, the Wilderness Committee will be joining allied environmental groups and concerned citizens in a series of peaceful protests and activities meant to show opposition to the pipeline and the failed review process. These activities will culminate with a large rally outside the NEB hearings at the Delta Hotel in Burnaby on Saturday, January 23rd at 1:00 p.m.

–30–

For more information, please contact:

Peter McCartney | Climate Campaigner, Wilderness Committee
778-239-1935, peter@wildernesscommittee.org