At a press conference this morning, the Communauté Métropolitaine de Montréal (CMM), representing 82 municipalities, announced their official opposition to the Energy East Pipeline. Montreal Mayor Denis Coderre, president of the CMM, was joined by the Mayors of Laval, Longueuil, Repentigny and Candiac to make the announcement.
Coderre has called the Energy East Pipeline risky in the past, and this morning expressed doubts that the project presents any significant economic benefits to the City of Montreal.
Coderre commented that the project does not get a passing grade when one contrasts the potential economic benefits with the potential risks to social, environmental and public health. Coderre expressed the need for the Federal Government to more stringently assess the environmental impacts of the project.
If constructed, the Energy East pipeline would transport 1.1 million barrels of tar sands oil (diluted bitumen) a day across 4,600 miles; flowing from Alberta to New Brunswick. The pipeline would cross six provinces and the territories of 150 First Nations groups. The project would cost nearly $16 billion to construct.
Laval Mayor Marc Demers had previously announced in September that Laval is “firmly against” the construction of the Energy East pipeline due to the risks it poses to Laval’s waterways, drinking water and agricultural land.
As more municipalities and citizens groups come forward in opposition to Energy East, it is becoming increasingly clear that Justin Trudeau must put the nail in the coffin on this risky pipeline project. In order to make good on the commitment Canada made in Paris to limit global warming to a maximum of 1.5 degrees Celsius, the truth is that we must keep 85-90% of all fossil fuel reserves in the ground.
To do so, Canada must put an end to all damaging fossil fuel extraction projects, switch gears, and invest instead in a 100% renewable energy economy. Trudeau must also honor his promise to reform and modernize the National Energy Board and Canada’s environmental assessment process; so that pipeline project reviews better take into account indigenous rights, upstream and downstream pollution, and the impacts of climate change.
If constructed, the Energy East pipeline would send 130 million litres of oil a day through the city of Ottawa, crossing the Rideau River just outside of Stittsville. If even a single oil spill were to occur, it could devastate our aquifers, poison our city’s water supply, and affect the health of our city’s residents.
Ecology Ottawa opposes the Energy East Pipeline.
Learn more about our TarFree613 campaign here: http://ecologyottawa.ca/tar-free-613/
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Community Organizer - National Capital Environmental Youth Project
Pour le français, cliquez ici.
35 hrs/week starting between May 20 - June 3 for a period of 8 weeks.
Do you live in the Ottawa area?
Are you interested in environmental issues?
Do you want to work for Ottawa’s leading grassroots environmental organization?
Ecology Ottawa is looking for a Community Organizer to join a dynamic team for an eight-week position. Reporting to the Communications & Events Organizer, the Community Organizer will be responsible for coordinating the volunteer component of Ecology Ottawa’s new National Capital Environmental Youth Program.
Community Organizer - Climate
Pour le français, cliquez ici.
35 hrs/week starting between May 20 - June 3 for a period of 8 weeks.
Do you live in the Ottawa area?
Are you interested in environmental issues?
Do you want to work for Ottawa’s leading grassroots environmental organization?
Ecology Ottawa is looking for a Community Organizer to join a dynamic team for an eight-week position funded by Canada Summer Jobs. The overall goal of the Community Organizer is to enhance environmental protection at the local level in Ottawa through volunteer engagement and public education.