Update: On November 29, Prime Minister Trudeau approved the Kinder Morgan pipeline despite massive opposition. But here's the thing: we're never going to let this project get built. The sheer amount of resistance to this project is staggering. Virtually every municipality that has a stake in the pipeline’s path officially objects to it. Tens of thousands of Canadians have been steadfast in opposition. And, most importantly, First Nations have pledged to resist the pipeline by any legal means necessary. Overnight, over 17,000 SumOfUs members signed on to The Union of BC Indian Chiefs resistance pledge (learn more at coastprotectors.ca).
The federal government could make its final decision on the controversial Kinder Morgan Trans Mountain tar sands pipeline as early as Monday.
For years, we've been fighting and organizing alongside First Nations and community members who are leading the fight to stop this megaproject. And now, we need your help to send a final message loud and clear to Trudeau to reject this project.
Justin Trudeau: listen to First Nations and local communities and reject the Trans Mountain pipeline now.
The Trudeau government was supposed to make its final decision on the pipeline months ago, but because of massive opposition and a review process the government itself admitted was flawed, it added a supplemental review to try and build support for the project.
That process was also mired in controversy after it was revealed that one of the panel members had close ties to Kinder Morgan.
Here's the thing the federal government doesn't seem to understand: the final decision always has been and always will be "no". No supplemental review process can change that, particularly a flawed one like this. Dozens of First Nations have formed a wall of opposition to the project, hundreds of thousands of community members have taken to the streets and online to protest this pipeline, and numerous local governments have rejected the project.
And now, with days before the decision, we have to remind Trudeau that at the end of the day, he's going to have to answer to us. Because governments don't grant permission, communities do.
Tell Trudeau to join First Nations, British Columbians and people across Canada to reject Kinder Morgan's Trans Mountain pipeline.
First Nations who have lived off the land since time immemorial have said this project cannot be built. Those living along the project route know that it is not a question of if the pipeline will spill, but when. And there is no way that Kinder Morgan can mitigate the damage to the the orca population if this project is built -- they will literally go extinct.
And the need to stop this project goes beyond national borders and is a question of justice. By 2100, there will be 200 million climate refugees because shortsighted governments keep approving projects like this one.
We are not going to let this be another.
Over the weekend, thousands of people marched in the streets in Vancouver, and there were 50 vigils opposing the project throughout the country. The mayor of Vancouver himself warned of the massive protests if the project is approved -- and Kinder Morgan is so worried it’s been meeting with the RCMP, expecting massive resistance efforts in the scale organized by the brave water defenders at Standing Rock if the project is given a green light.
With the national spotlight on this project right now, let's remind Trudeau the whole world is watching.
Tell Trudeau to reject Kinder Morgan's Trans Mountain pipeline.
More information
CBC News. 20 November 2016.