Friends of Wild Salmon Calls on Trudeau to Follow Through on Tanker Ban
June 23, 2016 (Prince Rupert, BC) – Friends of Wild Salmon (FOWS) say that when it comes to crude oil tankers, they want action not more delays.
During the 2015 federal election campaign, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau promised to block the proposed Enbridge Northern Gateway Pipeline by banning crude oil tanker traffic on B.C.’s north coast. In January, Transport Minister Marc Garneau suggested the ban would be implemented “within the calendar year.”
“We were thrilled to receive the Prime Minister’s promise, but we are increasingly concerned at the lack of concrete action,” said FOWS spokesperson Des Nobels. “We want to know when the government plans to follow through by tabling legislation in the House of Commons.”
The federal government is planning two roundtable discussions on the tanker ban in Vancouver in July.
“If there is going to be more consultation, they need to hear from the communities and stakeholders that would be most directly affected by oil tankers. Holding consultation meetings in Vancouver – over 1,000 kilometres from our region – won’t accomplish that,” said Nobels.
“The Prime Minister has an opportunity to leave a lasting positive legacy that supports communities, the wild salmon economy and the Great Bear Rainforest,” said Nobels. “Let’s get on with it.”
Numerous local governments and First Nations, as well as thousands of Northwest B.C. residents, have voiced opposition to the Northern Gateway Pipeline and crude oil tanker traffic on B.C.’s north coast.
Friends of Wild Salmon is a coalition of First Nations, commercial fishermen, anglers, recreation groups and others who work together to protect wild salmon in Northwest B.C.
Contact:
Des Nobels: (250) 627-1859