In a statement issued this morning, Hamilton Line 9 is “digging in and occupying Enbridge’s North Westover Pump Station” in a move “to stop construction in preparation for the reversal of their Line 9 Pipeline”. They add, “We are establishing a camp on Enbridge property in the middle of the Beverly Swamp, the largest remaining forested wetland in Southern Ontario. The health of this wetland is crucial to the health of the Spencer Creek, which feeds Cootes Paradise, the beautiful marshland that forms the western end of Lake Ontario. Protecting the water is vitally important — once water is poisoned, it can’t be undone.”
Their statement also highlights, “This is also stolen Indigenous land and is the traditional territory of the Chonnonton people as well as of the Mississagi Anishinabec and the Onondawaga Haudenosaunee. This pipeline crosses the territories of dozens of Indigenous nations along its route, including the Six Nations of the Grand River who have taken an inspiring lead in building resistance to Line 9.”
They ask for people to drop by the site to support them and they “welcome any donations of food, camping supplies, money, or whatever you think would be useful.” They will also be holding a rally tomorrow – Friday June 21 at 11 am – in the public park across the pump station on Concession 6.
Communities from Sarnia to Montreal are raising serious concerns about the potential environmental hazards of reversing Enbridge’s 37-year-old Line 9 pipeline, particularly if the pipeline will be used to carry diluted bitumen from Alberta. Many believe the reversal of the pipeline is a precursor to establishing an export connection to and through the US. The Council of Canadians is working with communities and First Nations raising environmental, rights-based and safety concerns about Line 9. We are also highlighting the impacts that Line 9 could have on Lake Ontario and the various waterways that it crosses.