Massive Alberta oilsands project up for discussion as protesters plan rally in Vancouver
Posted January 28, 2020 11:14 am.
Last Updated January 28, 2020 11:46 am.
VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – To approve or not to approve, that is the question for the federal government when it comes to a massive new oilsands project.
According to the country’s environment minister, the Trudeau government is still considering its options when it comes to approval. Minister Jonathan Wilkinson noted cabinet has to have a discussion about whether the economic benefit of the Teck Frontier oilsands outweighs the environmental impact.
“The process works such that cabinet can make a decision to approve, it can make a decision to reject, it can make a decision to delay,” Wilkinson said Tuesday. “I’m not going to opine on what that decision is going to be, but that’s the way the process works.”
The $20.6-billion project north of Fort McMurray would produce 260,000 barrels of oil a day, and about four million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions ever year for more than 40 years.
“You look at impacts on water, you look at potential impacts on species, animals and species at risk,” Wilkinson added.
He said top of mind will be the government’s climate change strategy, and its promise of hitting net zero emissions by 2050.
“Greenhouse gas emissions are relevant to the conversation,” he told reporters. “Obviously, this government has made commitments with respect to addressing greenhouse gas emissions, and we would have to ensure that they fit within that context.”
Cabinet has until the end of February to make a decision.
Protesters to push government to nix oilsands project
Meanwhile, demonstrators are gearing up for a rally in downtown Vancouver as well as on the North Shore on Tuesday. They’re going to be pushing the federal government to reject the project by B.C.-based Teck Resources, citing environmental concerns.
“We will be starting our protest at Teck Industries headquarters on Burrard Street and we will host some political theatre there, and then we will continue by marching down, getting on the SeaBus and going to Minister Wilkinson’s constituency office in North Vancouver,” protester Ohmri Haven said.
Haven said the goal is to raise awareness, and said the oilsands project would be built — if approved — amid climate emergency declarations.
“We’re going to stop Minister Wilkinson from approving this monstrous idea,” he added.
The protest begins at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday in downtown Vancouver.
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