This is an interesting example of how local campaigns can stop a pipeline.
Laval University has refused to allow the proposed Energy East pipeline to cross the fields of its experimental farm in Saint-Augustin-de-Desmaures, located just west of Quebec City. While not reported in English yet, Le Soleil reports in French that, “In mid-October, students at Laval University launched a petition on Facebook to lobby the administration for it to deny the passage of the pipeline on the grounds of the farm.”
“The experimental farm occupies an area of 280 hectares and is located south of Highway 138 , at the height of Girard Road. …The pipeline must traverse the north shore of the St. Lawrence near this location.”
In a letter to TransCanada, the university’s executive vice-president Eric Bauce wrote that the pipeline would “greatly disrupt the current scientific work” and limit what could be achieved at the farm. While a spokesperson for TransCanada claims that the route is not final and that it will continue to work on its submission to the National Energy Board, this is clearly a setback for them. It is notable that Saint-Augustin-de-Desmaures mayor Marcel Corriveau has also expressed his opposition given the pipeline would pass a few meters from residences along the river.
The newspaper reports that student activists at the university would like the administration to be even stronger in its opposition and to encourage other universities to speak out against the pipeline.
We too would like to share this information and encourage other universities and communities to see how they could wage a local campaign against this pipeline. Its proposed route includes Regina, Brandon, Winnipeg, Kenora, Dryden, Thunder Bay, Nipigon, Iroquois Falls, Temagami, North Bay, Ottawa, Montreal, Quebec City, Saint John and numerous other communities.
Thank you to Équiterre for their work on this issue and for sharing the newspaper article.
Further reading
TransCanada schooled in North Bay: Local organizers present their side at company open houses
Council of Canadians opposes the Energy East pipeline
Factsheet: TransCanada Energy East: Another Broken Pipeline Plan
Talking points: Countering Energy East Pipeline Spin
Energy East pipeline could cross Rideau River just south of Ottawa
