Recently, a tugboat carrying hundreds of thousands of litres of diesel fuel ran aground in Bella Bella. The resulting fuel spill has been a disaster for the local marine environment and the residents in the area.
This is another example that shows what British Columbian’s have known for a long time: federal spill response capabilities have been inadequate, even for current levels of shipping traffic.
The provincial government has stood up for years, asking the federal government to step up to protect the West Coast.
The provincial government has also done extensive research into best practices about how marine response on our coast could reach world-class standards.
Following this accident, the federal government announced measures to strengthen B.C.’s coast. This recent announcement was a long time coming, but it was one welcomed by the provincial government. For many years, we have advocated for better marine safety and technology along our coast.
Recognizing that B.C.’s coastline is the lifeline for thousands of British Columbians, it’s important to have systems in place in case of tragic instances. The commitment from the federal government to build a world-leading marine safety system helps to address a number of the shortcomings that have for decades gone unheeded, especially in providing adequate spill response and prevention.
On the question of new pipelines, like Kinder Morgan’s proposal to expand its Trans Mountain pipeline, our government’s position has always been clear and consistent: We will only support new heavy-oil pipelines in British Columbia if our five conditions can be met.
These conditions include: The successful completion of the National Energy Board environmental review process; ensuring world-leading marine and land-based spill response, prevention and recovery systems are in place; ensuring legal requirements regarding Aboriginal and treaty rights are addressed and First Nations are provided with the opportunities to participate in and benefit from a heavy-oil project; and that British Columbia receives a fair share of the fiscal and economic benefits from any proposed heavy-oil project.
Premier Clark made these five conditions four years ago, and the provincial government has not wavered on them since.
Meeting all five conditions will be a challenge. We set the bar high for a reason. We need to ensure B.C.’s concerns around the environment, First Nations’ participation and overall economic benefit are taken seriously. The responsibility for meeting the five conditions is complex and will take a great deal of effort from both industry and governments.
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