To evaluate any federal plan to alter environmental reviews, the groups have published a checklist of ten foundational elements that any strong environmental assessment law needs in order to deliver on core Canadian values related to the environment, democracy, and safe and responsible development.

“We can’t afford to get these decisions wrong – the whole point of environmental assessment is to protect Canadians and their environment from danger,” says Gideon Forman, Executive Director of Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment. “For example, medical studies have shown there are acute health effects from oil spills, and real questions about the implications for long-term health. Weakening environmental reviews might be good for oil companies, but it’s not good for the health and safety of Canadian families.”

Forman cited a range of studies on the human health effects of oil spills available at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/oilspillresponse/studies.html.

The federal government has indicated its intention to further weaken environmental legislation, possibly including the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (CEAA), a fundamental law linked to almost 50 other pieces of legislation, including those that protect endangered species and national parks, in order to push through oil pipelines and industrial megaprojects. Of particular concern to the authors of the report is the government’s declared wish to dramatically reduce citizens’ rights to participate in environmental reviews for major natural resource developments like the Enbridge oil tanker and pipeline project.

“Canadians want strong environmental laws, not a return to bygone days when we rushed projects through no matter what,” said Rachel Forbes, a lawyer with West Coast Environmental Law. “We had a century of giving the environment short shrift, where the public and Aboriginal nations had no input at all. That resulted in bad decisions that in many cases have left communities and the environment scarred in ways that could have been avoided. Our checklist provides a guide as to how we can create effective environmental assessment laws and ensure that the best possible decisions are made for communities, the economy and the environment.”

Forbes pointed to examples of major hydro dams built in the mid-twentieth century, like BC’s Bennett Dam and Manitoba’s Churchill River diversion, where there was little if any environmental review, some communities had only days notice that they would be flooded out, and entire river systems were permanently damaged. “It would be a mistake to turn the clock back,” she added.

“Experience has shown us that local knowledge and public involvement leads to better long term decision-making,” said Jamie Kneen, Communications and Outreach Coordinator at MiningWatch Canada. “We believe there are efficiencies to be had in doing environmental assessment right, but public participation is critical to identifying projects that make the greatest contribution to a sustainable economy, and putting them in the right place.”

The Checklist for Strong Environmental Laws is authored by West Coast Environmental Law, Ecovision Law, MiningWatch Canada, and Dr. John Sinclair, an independent professor at the University of Manitoba’s Natural Resources Institute, and may be found at:http://wcel.org/resources/publication/checklist-for-strong-environmental-laws.

Contact Information:

West Coast Environmental Law
Rachel S. Forbes
Staff Lawyer
604.601.2508 or 604.345.9129 (cell)
rachel_forbes@wcel.org
www.wcel.org

Ecovision Law
Stephen Hazell
Environmental Lawyer, Ecovision Law and Law Professor
613.422.1107 or 613.724.1908 (cell)
stephendhazell@gmail.com

MiningWatch Canada
Jamie Kneen – Communications and Outreach Coordinator
Co-Chair, Environmental Planning and Assessment Caucus of
the Canadian Environment Network
613.569.3439 or 613.761.2273 (cell)
jamie@miningwatch.ca

For the Gitga’at, it’s not a question of if there will be an oil spill, but when.

(PHOTO CREDITS: Kate Turner)

VANCOUVER, BC, Feb. 19, 2012/ Troy Media/ - Imagine you’re grocery shopping with your family and you get to the store only to find that it’s closed. It’s almost dinnertime, so you try another one down the street. It’s closed too. You turn on your car radio and the newscaster announces that all the grocery stores in a 700-kilometre radius are closed, permanently.

What would you do?

That’s the question the Gitga’at First Nation of Hartley Bay, British Columbia are asking themselves about the proposed Enbridge Northern Gateway oil tanker and pipeline project. Their community lies at the mouth of the Douglas Channel, the narrow channel that super tankers would navigate on their way to Kitimat, to load up with oil sands crude, bound for China. An oil spill in their territory would close their grocery store – the ocean – for hundreds if not thousands of kilometres.

It’s about food, not oil

Earlier this month, I was lucky enough to visit Prince Rupert and witness the two-thousand citizen march against the Enbridge pipeline organized by the Gitga’at. These weren’t latte-sipping environmentalists; the marchers were fisherman, traditional harvesters, First Nations and soccer moms. Native and non-native, they were there to defend Canada’s Pacific coastal economy, and their way of life.

While I was visiting, I ate dinner at a local seafood restaurant, and I ordered a meal that included halibut, crab, salmon, prawns, mussels and clams. The chef and waitress were both First Nations, and they explained to me the importance of seafood and cultural practices like feasts. My Visa was maxed out and so was my stomach. I wish I could eat like that every night.

For the Gitga’at, that’s not a fancy dinner, that’s food on the table. Forty per cent (or more) of Gitga’at meals are traditionally sourced from country foods like the ones I was eating, as well as seaweed, oysters, herring, sea cucumber and harbour seal, often harvested in traditional harvesting camps. That’s according to socio-cultural studies filed by the Gitga’at with the National Energy Board’s Joint Review Panel, currently considering the Enbridge pipeline.

Harvesting and sharing traditional food is what defines the Gitga’at people. Feasts and potlatches were age-old traditions that reinforced the community’s sense of sharing and social identity, but they were banned by the government from 1885 to 1951. Like the residential schools, the ban was a deliberate attempt to kill First Nations culture. Fortunately, the traditions were kept alive. However, an oil spill near Hartley Bay, could wipe them out for good.

Who will rescue the rescuers?

When the BC Ferry Queen of the North sank in 2006, the Gitga’at were the first on the scene, saving passengers from the sinking ship and feeding them and keeping them warm in their community hall, which was transformed into a rescue centre. For their efforts, the Gitga’at received the Governor General’s Commendation for Outstanding Service, for “initiative, selflessness and an extraordinary commitment to the well-being of others.” Like the diesel fuel that still bubbles up from the ferry wreckage and pollutes their shellfish beds, forcing families to seek other harvesting grounds, it’s a memory that’s hard to forget.

It’s one that Canadians shouldn’t forget either.

For the Gitga’at, it’s not a question of if there will be an oil spill, but when, a contention supported by Enbridge’s refusal to guarantee there won’t be a spill.

Listening to the marine radio doesn’t inspire confidence. Foreign captains make navigational mistakes and confusion is common. Sometimes the marine pilots have to ask visiting ships if there is anyone on board who speaks English. Throw in unpredictable weather and legendary storms, and it’s easy to understand why there have been multiple sinkings and even more close calls over the years.

The Gitga’at are fishing people, but they’re also business people, developing their own hydropower project, eco-tourism and bear-viewing operations, and a partnership with a local luxury fishing lodge in the Great Bear Rainforest. They have more than 17 businesses producing millions of dollars in revenue. They are also involved in conservation efforts through their Guardian Watchmen program, one of the largest on the coast, monitoring and protecting the health of their ocean environment. Life should be good, but instead it’s stressful.

If the Enbridge Northern Gateway pipeline were ever approved, the traditional feasts and potlatches of the Gitga’at would take place in the permanent shadow of the threat of an oil spill. The grocery stores could be closed at any time.

Protecting the cultural vitality of the Gitga’at people is far more in Canada’s national interest than piping billions of barrels of unrefined oil to China. When the Queen of the North sank, the Gitga’at protected the well-being of total strangers. Now it’s our turn as Canadians and fellow citizens, to return the favour, by saying “no” to the proposed Enbridge Northern Gateway oil tanker and pipeline project.

There are better ways to serve the national interest. This pipeline is not one of them.

Andrew Frank is a citizen. He is also an instructor in the Environmental Protection Technology program at Kwantlen Polytechnic University in Surrey, British Columbia, and a communication specialist. To find out more, visit www.andrewfrank.ca

This column is FREE to use on your websites or in your publications. However, Troy Media, with a link to its web site, MUST be credited.

The resolution is the second local government resolution in less than a week opposing the Enbridge pipeline. The City of Terrace passed a resolution on February 13, 2012.

“This is another powerful statement that elected local governments in Northern British Columbia are opposed to the Enbridge Gateway oil tanker and pipeline project,” said Jennifer Rice, a City of Prince Rupert Councillor who proposed the resolution. “Any effort to ram this project through will be a direct attack on our First Nations, the fishing industry and other coastal economies. We encourage development, but the risks are too great with this particular proposal.”

The Skeena Queen Charlotte Regional District resolution reads as follows:

WHEREAS the Enbridge Northern Gateway Project will result in increased crude oil tanker traffic and risk of accidental oil spills in northern coastal waters in British Columbia;

AND WHEREAS a crude oil spill will have devastating and long lasting effects on the Pacific North Coast area that is recognized for its unique and diverse ocean ecosystems, which provide critical marine habitat and marine resources that sustain the social, cultural, environmental and economic health of coastal communities, including First Nations communities:

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the SQCRD be opposed to any expansion of bulk crude oil tanker traffic as well as bitumen export in Dixon Entrance, Hecate Strait and Queen Charlotte Sound in British Columbia;

AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the SQCRD petition the federal government to establish a legislated ban on bulk crude oil tanker traffic and bitumen export through Dixon Entrance, Hecate Strait and Queen Charlotte Sound in British Columbia.

Opposition to the Enbridge Northern Gateway oil tanker and pipeline project has been growing in recent weeks as a National Energy Board review panel visits communities in Northern British Columbia. More than 2000 residents took part in a rally against the project, hosted by the Gitga’at Nation in Prince Rupert on February 4, 2012.

Contact Information:
Andrew Frank
Office: 604-215-7875
Cell: 604-367-2112

Frustrations boiled over this morning after National Energy Board security staff and the RCMP temporarily threatened to bar a First Nations woman who had expressed frustration at Enbridge’s lawyers’ attempt to limit the testimony of MP Nathan Cullen. The incident occurred during Mr. Cullen’s testimony.

Clarence Nelson, a Metlakatla hereditary chief called the woman’s ejection from the hearings a deeply disrespectful act, especially since she was wearing traditional regalia at the time: “When we’re with regalia, it represents who we are,” said Nelson. “‘Respect’ is a powerful word in our language.”

Lara Peterson, the Metlakatla drummer, who was dressed in traditional regalia and part of the audience at the time, objected to continued interjections by Enbridge’s lawyers seeking to limit the testimony of MP Nathan Cullen. When Enbridge lawyers said Mr. Cullen should not be speaking on behalf of First Nations, Mr. Peterson shouted, “He’s one of us. He can speak,” at which point she left the room out of frustration.

When she tried to re-enter the room, National Energy Board security told Ms. Peterson she was not allowed back in, and directed the RCMP to bar her. Ms. Peterson explained she had a right to go in. She was warned by the RCMP that she would be arrested and charged with trespassing if she attempted to re-enter the proceedings. Motioning for handcuffs, she put out her hands and said, “go ahead.” North Coast MLA, Gary Coons, and two other gentlemen stood up for the woman and convinced the police officer to let her back in.

“They can arrest me if they want. I’m not going to shut up,” said Ms. Peterson. “I have a 10 year old and a 14 month old and they love their fish. I want them to continue to eat fish. They eat fish three or four times a week. We don’t feed our babies pablum. They eat fish. As soon as they start showing teeth the first thing they taste is herring eggs – roe on kelp.”

Interviews with Ms. Peterson can be arranged by contacting Andrew Frank.

Contact Information:
Andrew Frank
Media Relations
604-215-7875 or 604-367-2112

OTTAWA, CANADA (February 9, 2012) – As rumours circulate in Ottawa that the Conservative government is planning to gut the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (CEAA), maybe as early as next week, an in-camera motion from the committee examining the Act, has been leaked to underline public safety and national interest concerns that affect all Canadians.

The leak comes as Prime Minister Harper is busy making deals with China about Canadian natural resources that will have significant, long-term impacts on the Canadian environment.

Scheduled for debate this afternoon by the House of Commons Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development, the motion calls for more witnesses to appear before the committee, including the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission and the National Energy Board:

Notice of Motion from Laurin Liu

That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the Committee halt its consideration of its draft report and call additional witnesses to appear, in regard to the Statutory Review of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, including, but not limited to, the National Energy Board, the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission, the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development, affected communities, labour, Inuit representatives, Metis and First Nations, and additional provincial and territorial governments.

Que, conformément à l’article 108(2) du Règlement, le Comité interrompe l’étude de son projet de rapport et qu’il invite de nouveaux témoins à comparaître, en lien avec son examen prévu par la loi de la Loi canadienne sur l’évaluation environnementale, incluant mais ne se limitant pas à : l’Office nationale de l’énergie, la Commission canadienne de sureté nucléaire, le Commissaire à l’environnement et au développement durable, des communautés affectés, syndicats, représentants des Inuits, Métis et Premières Nations ainsi que d’autres gouvernements provinciaux et territoriaux.

In the Fall of 2011, the committee gave just two business days notice that the hearing process to review CEAA was being cancelled and all written submissions had to be received by November 28. Some civil society organizations that were scheduled to speak were prevented from doing so, and public safety, labour and First Nations were not given the chance to be heard.

In the rush to approve risky industrial projects like the proposed Enbridge oil supertankers and pipelines plan, and to implement freshly-inked agreements to substantially increase exports of uranium to China, the Conservative government is abandoning due process, and public health and safety are being compromised as a result.

Contact Information:

Andrew Frank
Media Relations
604-215-7875 or 604-367-2112

Video reel of British Columbia’s three major television newscasts’ coverage of the “Say Not To Oil Tankers” rally and concert held in Prince Rupert, British Columbia on February 4, 2012. The rally was hosted by the Gitga’at First Nation.

NADLEH WHUT’EN, BRITISH COLUMBIA (February 6, 2012) – As Prime Minister Stephen Harper arrives in Beijing to meet with Chinese President Hu Jintao, the Yinka Dene Alliance of First Nations in the interior of BC have written an open letter (http://ow.ly/8U7S7) to President Hu to remind him of Canada’s troublesome record when it comes to aboriginal rights.

They have also issued an open letter to the Chinese people: http://ow.ly/8UdkR

Of immediate concern in the letter is the government’s plan to approve the Enbridge pipeline and tankers project, despite the fact that First Nations have clearly refused consent for the pipeline to cross their traditional territories.

The letter, signed by five chiefs, tells the Chinese government of the legal uncertainty associated with the Enbridge pipeline and tankers project:

“We have learned that Sinopec, and a subsidiary of China National Offshore Oil Corp. (CNOOC), are among the companies that have signed preliminary, non-binding agreements with Enbridge in relation to this pipeline. The Canadian government’s hearing process to review the Enbridge project cannot be relied upon to provide certainty to project investors, because it does not respect our rights to our land. Investors should not place confidence in Canada’s system to review oil pipeline projects until the underlying question of our land rights has been resolved.”

The Yinka Dene Alliance includes Nadleh Whut’en, Nak’azdli, Takla Lake, Saik’uz, and Wet’suwet’en First Nations in northern BC who have banned the Enbridge Northern Gateway Pipelines from their territories, which cover 25% of the proposed pipeline route, as indicated in this map: http://ow.ly/8U7Ny

Contact Information:
Chief Larry Nooski, Nadleh Whut’en First Nation, 250-613-7102
Chief Jackie Thomas, Saik’uz First Nation, 250-567-8048

PRINCE RUPERT, BRITISH COLUMBIA–(Marketwire – Feb. 6, 2012) - More than two thousand residents from across Northern BC, joined forces in Prince Rupert on Saturday (February 4) to march against the proposed Enbridge Northern Gateway oil tanker and pipeline project.

Crowd estimates were provided by the Prince Rupert Fire and Rescue Service, as well as organizer guest books at the concert venue itself.

These numbers contradict earlier media reports that suggested “several hundred” participants took part – a gross inaccuracy.

The event was about delivering one loud and clear message to Enbridge and the provincial and federal governments: Oil spills are inevitable, and for that reason, oil tankers and oil pipelines will not be allowed in BC’s coastal waters.

“It’s not going to happen,” was the common refrain repeated by First Nations leaders and event speakers like radio firebrand, Rafe Mair.

Freelance photos and High Definition b-roll from Saturday’s rally are available for use by media (use contact information below):

Photos: http://ow.ly/8TVqo
Sample video: http://ow.ly/8SCHV

Contact Information:
Andrew Frank
Media Relations
Office: 604-215-7875
Cell: 604-367-2112

Approximately two thousand residents of Prince Rupert and surrounding areas joined hands with the Gitga’at Nation on Saturday morning to oppose the proposed Enbridge Northern Gateway oil tanker and pipeline project. The crowd estimate was provided by the Prince Rupert Fire and Rescue team.

The largest citizens’ rally against Enbridge to date, Saturday’s event drew citizens of all ages and walks of life, and featured musical performances by Bif Naked, Murray Porter and Shane Yellowbird, as well as powerful speeches by First Nations leaders and radio talk show host Rafe Mair.

Key message: This thing isn’t going to happen.

Lot’s more to come, but here’s a taste of the incredible community demonstration against the Enbridge oil tanker and pipeline project in Prince Rupert this morning, February 4, 2012, hosted by the Gitga’at Nation.