Andrew Weaver calls politicians to a higher standard regarding pipeline expansion

Earlier this week, Kinder Morgan said it would stop spending on the Trans Mountain Pipeline Expansion and would withdraw altogether by May 31 if B.C. did not give its approval.

With a deadline looming, governments are pushing even harder for what they want.

The Trans Mountain Expansion feud between B.C. and Alberta continued today when the leader of the B.C. Green Party, Andrew Weaver, accused several politicians of using fear-mongering tactics.

“There is an inordinate amount of fear-mongering going on in the political climate surrounding Trans Mountain,” said Weaver.

Weaver was referring to comments made by Michael de Jong, MLA for Abbotsford West and Laurie Throness, MLA for Chilliwack-Hope who spoke earlier in the House of Commons.

During the meeting, they aired concerns about the potential of a Lac-Mégantic-style explosion disaster if oil was shipped by rail instead of through the pipeline, which they are hoping gets built.

The greatest risk of oil spill in our City is from the tankers that pass through every day by rail. Today in Question Period I recalled the 1984 derailment in the center of Chilliwack, of 27 cars carrying copper ore. What if they had been carrying oil? pic.twitter.com/Fj5CkoitaJ

— Laurie Throness (@LaurieThroness) April 10, 2018

“In 2018 in this country, our commitment to facts and the truth is more important than ever," said Weaver.

He refutes MLA Throness' concern about the potential for an explosion to occur from via rail, saying the Lac-Mégantic explosion was caused by Bakken crude, not heated bitumen or undiluted heavy crude. Weaver's greater concern is for the coast.

“The risk of Trans Mountain lies in the way diluted bitumen behaves in an ocean spill," said Weaver. "Studies using suspended particulate matter, which characterizes the water off B.C.’s coast, suggest that bitumen would in fact either form tar balls or sink. There is not sufficient scientific evidence on whether such a spill could be cleaned up.

After emergency cabinet meeting re: future of Kinder Morgan Trans Mountain pipeline expansion, Natural Resources Minister Jim Carr tells reporters "the govt is 100% behind this pipeline"; says "we believe that there are many options that will be of interest for the govt of Cda." pic.twitter.com/EfZZR61thH

— CPAC (@CPAC_TV) April 10, 2018

Meanwhile, the federal minister of Natural Resources, Jim Carr says the expansion is a "national interest" and a "crucial project in the resource sector." He adds that "nothing should stand in the way of these jobs and harm the families likely to benefit."

Weaver went on to accuse Alberta Premier, Rachel Notley of engaging in fear-mongering by calling the current expansion dispute a ‘constitutional crisis’.

On Monday, Alberta Premier, Rachel Notley, tweeted: "If the voices of the majority of Canadians are forgotten, the reverberations of that will tear at the fabric of confederation for many years to come. We won't let that happen."

BC has a constitutional right to defend against the risk of a spill. You also need to recall the inherent and constitutionally protected rights of Indigenous peoples who will not concede to this project, this is not in the interest of 'the majority'. #cdnpoli #waterislife #stopkm

— Anna Gerrard (@_AnnaGerrard) April 9, 2018

"It is irresponsible to be throwing such inflammatory terms around when B.C. is simply trying to consult with British Columbians and to seek scientific evidence about a substance that poses a significant risk to our communities and to our economy," said Weaver.

Notley continues to garner support for the pipeline to be built sooner rather than later, with support from the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce.

Notley told Horgan she will be moving ahead aggressively with legislation to ensure the pipeline gets built, due to the significant impact it will have on creating jobs for Canadians.

“The federal process failed to consider B.C.’s interests and the risk to our province," said B.C. Premier, John Horgan earlier this week. “We believe we need to grow the economy, while protecting the environment. We want to work to address these challenges together. But we will always stand up for British Columbians, our environment and the thousands of jobs that depend on our coast.”

The Trans Mountain Expansion is in the national interest, which is why our government approved the project and why we continue to stand by our decision. #cdnpoli 1/3 pic.twitter.com/vvMnbnoj47

— Jim Carr (@jimcarr_wpg) April 8, 2018

Meanwhile, Minister Carr says the government will continue working to find a solution so the pipeline gets built, adding that it's British Columbia's duty to do the same.

"The Government of Canada calls on Premier Horgan and the BC government to stop any threat to delay the Trans Mountain Expansion Project. The measures taken by his government are likely to harm the economy of the entire country. At a time of great uncertainty about global trade, Canada's important role in the global energy market is more important than individual projects and the special interests of the provinces."