Heavy hitters to attend informal round table discussion in Nelson
By Nelson Daily Staff
Burnaby-New Westminster MP, Peter Julian, the NDP critic for Energy and Natural Resources, will be the featured guest at an informal round table hosted by B.C. Southern Interior MP Alex Atamanenko, and the EcoSociety in Nelson Saturday, June 1 at the Nelson United Church from 7-9 p.m.
The meeting coincides with a presentation at the end of May by the BC government regarding its official position on Enbridge’s Northern Gateway pipeline to the National Energy Board Joint Review Panel (JRP).
Premier Elect, Christy Clark has outlined five conditions that must be met if the project is to receive provincial government support.
These conditions include “appropriate safety measures”, but the Harper government’s Bill C – 38 abbreviates the environmental review process and appears to give them the authority to override decisions made by Canada’s energy authority.
“All pipelines need to adhere to the highest possible safety and environmental standards, said Peter Julian said in a prepared statement.
“Communities need to be meaningfully consulted on such projects, and environmental risks need to be properly assessed before approval is given.”
The public is invited to participate in the discussion of the proposed Enbridge pipeline, the impact of tanker traffic along the BC coast and Canada’s energy policy.
Joining Jillian and Atamanenko are David Reid of the EcoSociety, Keith Wiley of the Kootenays for a Tanker Free BC, Wayne McCrory from the Valhalla Wilderness Society and Nadine Podmoroff representing the Nelson Council of Canadians.
The meeting precedes another event A Gathering of Eagles takes flight and lands in Castlegar on June 2.
The Convergence for a Pipeline and Tanker-Free BC follows the “round table” in Nelson on Saturday evening and will be held at the Brilliant Cultural Centre from 1-5:30 p.m. on Sunday.
The featured speakers are: Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, President of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs, Joan Phillip, Penticton Indian Band Councillor and Lands Administrator, Gerald Amos, Former Chief Councillor of Kitimat, Haisla First Nations, and Peter Julian, MP, NDP critic for Energy and Natural Resources.
There will be additional presentations by Alex Atamanenko, MP BCSI, Katrine Conroy, MLA for Kootenay West, Keith Wiley of Kootenays for a Tanker-Free BC and Wayne McCrory from the Valhalla Wilderness Society.
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