The Council of Canadians Montreal chapter took part in an anti-Kinder Morgan pipeline protest in front of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s constituency office in the Montreal riding of Papineau on November 30.
The Canadian Press reports, “Opponents of oil pipeline transport in Canada demonstrated on Wednesday morning in front of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s riding office on Montreal’s Jarry Street.”
Chapter activist Kymberly Pedicelli says, “Trudeau`s approval of two of the three pipeline projects, including the extremely controversial Kinder Morgan Trans Mountain pipeline, stunned climate scientists, union groups, First Nations and environmentalists. Organizations and citizens in Montreal, like the local Council Of Canadians chapter, got into quick action to hold a protest in front of Trudeau’s office.”
Chapter activist Abdul Pirani adds, “A crowd of about a hundred persons were out at 8:15 am in front of Trudeau’s office to express their anger and total dissatisfaction at breaking his promises. People are stunned and astounded but they are not going to give up and will continue to mobilize and like Clayton Thomas-Muller of 350.org said, the government will have a Standing Rock here if it continues to disregard wishes of the people whether it is Kinder Morgan, Line 3 or Energy East.”
Council of Canadians staff protested in Vancouver on the evening of November 29 (just hours after the Trudeau government announced its approved of the tar sands pipeline), the Montreal chapter protested the following day (November 30), and the Victoria chapter took part in a massive protest against the pipeline last night (December 1). In addition, the Thunder Bay chapter issued a media release on November 29 highlighting Trudeau’s decision broke key elections promises.
Council of Canadians energy and climate justice campaigner Daniel Cayley-Daoust 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.
Cayley-Daoust adds, “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!”
This 890,000 barrel per day export pipeline, to be built by Texas-based Kinder Morgan, 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
