Convergence for a Pipeline- and Tanker-Free BC will be landing June 2 at the Brilliant Cultural Centre near Castlegar, 1-5:30 p.m. and on June 1 in Nelson.
“These converged events are framed to clarify the impacts of the proposed Northern Gateway and Kinder Morgan pipelines, omnibus bills, C-38 and C-45, and increased tar sands production, along with options which will best serve BC,” said conference coordinator, Nadine Podmoroff.
Enbridge Northern Gateway pipeline proposes to ship over half a million barrels of tar sands heavy oil daily from Alberta through northern BC to the coast of Kitimat, where it would be exported in tankers to U.S. and Asian markets.
The Kinder Morgan pipeline, which spans from Edmonton to Burnaby, proposes to expand transport volume to a tanker per day to U.S. and Asian markets.
The pipelines would cross ecologically sensitive areas, including hundreds of rivers and streams, the Great Bear Rainforest and mountainous and landslide-prone terrain.
Oil tankers and super tankers are proposed to cross the Burrard Inlet and Hecate and Queen Charlotte straits which are recognized as the fourth most dangerous waters in the world.
The potential for irreparable environmental, economic and social destruction is enormously high, said Podmoroff.
“Some experts state, 'It's not a matter of if an oil spill will occur, but when,'” she said.
This significant event will feature grand chief Stewart Phillip, president of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs, and Joan Phillip, Penticton Band councillor, Gerald Amos, former chief councillor of the Haisla First Nations in Kitimat, Peter Julian MP NDP Energy and Natural Resource critic, First Nations traditional prayer and singers, Peru, Washington and BC, Alex Atamanenko, MP BC Southern Interior, power point presentations by Valhalla Wilderness Society (Wayne McCrory) and Kootenays for a Pipeline-Free BC (Keith Wiley) and the Doukhobors and Friends for Peace Choir and informational displays.
Everyone is welcome to arrive early to participate in a special Doukhobor prayer meeting, blended with First Nations, with emphasis on prayers for the Earth, led by Ernie Verigin, from 10-11 a.m.
In conjunction with these events, Atamanenko will host an informal panel and round table discussion entitled Pipelines, Tankers and Energy Policy. It will be held June 1 at the United Church in Nelson, 7-9 p.m. and will feature Peter Julian, Atamanenko and special guests.
- Suggested minimum $10 donation. Youth are free.
- Edited video footage of this event will be mounted on YouTube.
- To volunteer or for more information please visit: www.usccdoukhobors.org/kruna/krunaevents.htm, or contact 250-825-4517 or nadia@netidea.com.