By Bryan Eneas

Council of Canadians protest Trans Mountain pipeline decision

Jun 4, 2018 | 5:00 PM

A dedicated group of protesters braved the elements to ensure their displeasure about the recent federal decision to purchase the disputed Trans Mountain pipeline for $4.5 billion.

Twenty-one chapters of the Council of Canadians hosted a snap protest or day of action across the country in protest of the decision. Federal MP Randy Hoback’s office was chosen as the location for the protest, although he and members of the council are seemingly on the same side of the dispute.

“Oddly enough, we’re on the same side in this case, but for different reasons,” Nancy Carswell, with the Prince Albert chapter of the Council of Canadians said. “He believes that [the pipeline] does not got a business case… I’m saying we’ve got better things to do with the money.”

She proposed spending $4.5 billion by investing into green energy, a solution she said will not only better the environment, but it would also provide a plethora of future-proof jobs to Canadian citizens.

Members of the Prince Albert Council of Canadians chapter held signs proclaiming their thoughts about where the $4.5 billion the government committed to the project could go.

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Funding for Veterans, education, suicide prevention and clean drinking water were all listed as better ways the protesters thought the money could be better used.

Carswell addressed the small crowd and her speech was followed by a quick presentation from Lorraine Beardsworth, a fellow member of the council.

“We are representing 100 communities across Canada who are doing the same thing at their constituency offices,” Beardsworth said.

The local artist and activist said she was living in Prince Albert during the summer of 2016, when a Husky Energy pipeline ruptured and leaked some 225,000 litres of fuel into the North Saskatchewan River. She said she fears the same type of incident would happen with the proposed Trans Mountain pipeline.

“We had heavy oil, thanks to Husky, coming down our river,” Beardsworth said. “I saw the sludge, I saw the mammals and the birds coming along with that sludge, and it hurt me, it hurt me deeply.”

Hoback’s office issued a press release about the protest and national day of action on his behalf. The federal MP for Prince Albert called out Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for his handling of the situation.

Hoback said the previous Conservative government was capable of approving four pipeline projects without using a single taxpayer dollar. He also expressed his concerns about the Prime Minister’s comments about phasing out the oil and gas industry in Canada.

“[Canadians] were not prepared to foot the bill for such a project,” Hoback said. “Using billions of taxpayer dollars is not the only way for the Trans Mountain pipeline to be built.”

Hoback suggested low taxes and fewer regulations would allow more projects like the Trans Mountain pipeline to be built in Canada.

Bryan.Eneas@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @BryanEneas