The Council of Canadians Comox Valley chapter protested against the Kinder Morgan Trans Mountain pipeline and stood in solidarity with the water protectors opposing the Dakota Access pipeline at Standing Rock on December 2.
Chapter activist Kathie Woodley says, “A small but determined group of activists braved the wind and rain in Courtenay to send the message that we stand with Standing Rock and to say NO to Kinder Morgan. Thanks for the honks and waves of support from so many vehicles passing by!”
The outreach for the rally had noted, “Call out to all people who want to show your support to Standing Rock. Bring your drums your voices and your signs, We need to show Justin Trudeau how we feel about Kinder Morgan!”
Council of Canadians staff protested in Vancouver on the evening of November 29 (just hours after the Trudeau government announced its approval of the tar sands pipeline), the Montreal chapter protested in front of Trudeau’s constituency office on December 1, the Hamilton chapter held a picket outside the federal building in that city on December 1, and the Comox Valley chapter rallied on December 2. In addition, the Thunder Bay chapter issued a media release on November 29 highlighting Trudeau’s decision to approve the pipeline broke key elections promises that he had made.
Council of Canadians energy and climate justice campaigner Daniel Cayley-Daoust says, “The oil industry’s days are numbered, and the Trudeau government’s lack of vision for a clean energy future is setting us back. But you and I will be there to block these pipelines with our Indigenous allies on the front lines. Thank you so much for taking action. See you on the front lines!”
He is asking our supporters to:
1- Become a Coast Protector. Please consider throwing your support behind the Union of BC Indian Chiefs’ call for Coast Protectors to defend the land against these pipelines. Even if you aren’t on the west coast, there are many ways people across the country can take action and stay plugged into the coming fight. Sign the pledge here.
2- Donate. The Council of Canadians will be doing all we can to support this broad movement of opposition. Your contribution will help us: support legal challenges from frontline Indigenous communities, especially the upcoming lawsuit by the Tsleil-Wauteuth Nation; educate people about the potential impacts to water all along the pipeline route with new materials designed to reach those that might not be engaged in this debate; and ensure people across Canada stay informed and are ready to mobilize in solidarity with frontline water protectors.
This 890,000 barrel per day export pipeline, to be built by Texas-based Kinder Morgan, violates the rights of the First Nations who have not consented to the pipeline, would cross 1309 water courses in Alberta and British Columbia, produce between 20 to 26 megatonnes of carbon pollution a year, and result in about 400 supertankers a year departing from the Westridge Marine Terminal in Burnaby.
The Council of Canadians has been opposing the Trans Mountain pipeline since August 2011 by participating in marches, protests and civil disobedience actions, supporting chapter activism, petitions and a court action, writing blogs, and organizing numerous public events and a six-community speaking tour.
#StopKM
