A Message from the global online citizens group Avaaz
Dear Friends across Canada -
January 2015 – A group of energy sector insiders look set to rubber stamp the eastern oil sands pipeline, which will cross rivers and cut through communities from Alberta to Québec and New Brunswick — choking the climate, and risking spills of up to 2.6 million litres of oil.
The tar sands, or what some in the corporate media prefer to call ‘the oil patch’, in Alberta. The Harper government’s idea of economic heaven in Canada’s open spaces
Shockingly, they say that climate change isn’t their concern.
The good news is that the National Energy Board is about to start public consultations before this crucial decision is made — but they only want to hear from a hand picked few, on topics that they choose.
Right now, citizens’ groups are coming together to make the biggest push yet for a fair and inclusive process that will look at all the issues — if we all add our voices, they will have to listen, or risk a complete loss of public faith.
We only have days before the process starts. Click now to tell these decision makers to put their rubber stamp back in their pockets, and instead protect our precious natural resources and the climate. When 100,000 sign on, Avaaz will bring all our voices right to the NEB’s doorstep in Calgary.
https://secure.avaaz.org/en/canada_pipeline_neb_e/?bRUUpdb&v=52813
PM Harper’s government has tethered our economy to the oil industry, they’ve described the National Energy Board as an “ally”, and they advise on appointments to the board.
Protesters hang a banner at an Enbridge Line 9 tar sands pipe site in Ontario last year.
But the NEB is supposed to be independent, and they are required to hear from people impacted by these mega projects. This should include people impacted by the devastating effects of climate change too.
The NEB says that climate change isn’t its concern, and that the provinces, together with pipeline-builder TransCanada, should deal with it. But it’s taking a narrow look at only the oil transportation issues, and not at the pipeline’s role in unleashing carbon from the tar sands on the world. Building this pipeline means digging ourselves further into a downward spiral of oil dependency and its impact on our changing climate needs to be reviewed.
New studies show that the pipeline, which will transport over 1 million barrels of tar sands crude each day, is vulnerable to corrosion, cracking, and massive spills. The Ontario-commissioned studies also say that the pipeline doesn’t provide the economic benefits that have been claimed, and there could be impacts on drinking water.
The National Energy Board could decide that the project is simply too risky for Canadians to bear. As they prepare for public consultation, let’s make sure that they hear from as many people as possible, and look at all the impacts of this oily pipeline. Click now to take action:
https://secure.avaaz.org/en/canada_pipeline_neb_e/?bRUUpdb&v=52813
Late last year, pipeline company TransCanada hired a giant PR firm that suggested targeting Avaaz and other organisations. We won’t be intimidated by this dirty war! By raising our voices together, we can show the NEB that thousands of Canadians demand fair and open hearings on this massive project.
With hope, from Jo, Ari, Danny, Emma, Ricken, and the whole Avaaz team
SOURCES
National Energy Board’s pipeline focus isn’t climate change, CEO says (CBC)
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/national-energy-board-s-pipeline-focus-isn-t-climate-change-ceo-says-1.2847487
Poll shows few Quebecers support Energy East pipeline (Montreal Gazette)
http://montrealgazette.com/news/local-news/poll-shows-few-quebecers-support-energy-east-pipeline
City raises pipeline concerns (Winnipeg Free Press)
http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/city-raises-pipeline-concerns-252590031.html
More details needed on impact of Energy East pipeline, report says (Toronto Star)
http://www.thestar.com/news/world/2015/01/15/more-details-needed-on-impact-of-energy-east-pipeline-report-says.html
Energy East pipeline benefits overblown, report says (CBC)
http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/energy-east-pipeline-benefits-overblown-report-says-1.2576782
TransCanada pressuring opponents of Energy East pipeline, documents show (Toronto Star)
http://www.thestar.com/news/world/2014/11/18/transcanada_pressuring_opponents_of_energy_east_pipeline_documents_show.html
For more information on Avaaz click on http://www.avaaz.org/en/ .
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