‘Kayaktivists’ protest against proposed Kinder Morgan pipeline expansion

Share

Activist Cam Fenton has been a kayaker for most of his life, but this week marked a first: the only time he has gone up against an oil tanker intent on docking at a terminal. Mr. Fenton says the risk was worth it to take a stand against the proposed expansion of the Kinder Morgan pipeline between the Alberta oil sands and Burnaby.

He and other "kayaktivists" were trying to block the vessel, manoeuvring around the terminal in Burnaby where an increased number of tankers would take on oil from the expanded pipeline for delivery to markets. The stunt happened Wednesday – the day before the National Energy Board (NEB) delivers a long-awaited report on the proposed expansion.

"Being in a kayak staring down an oil tanker is a pretty intense experience," said Mr. Fenton, a 29-year-old activist with 350.org. "The sheer size of the tanker bearing down on you when you're that low to the water in a kayak makes you feel small on the water."

Opponents say their protests will continue well after Thursday's NEB report. They predict the board will recommend the project, which has united Lower Mainland cities, environmentalists and the First Nations community, among others, in opposition. "It's a great mobilizing opportunity," says Kai Nagata, communications director for the Dogwood Initiative environmental group, which is opposed to the expansion.

He described the NEB ruling as the "starter's pistol" in a long fight that could include a citizens' initiative vote or a provincial election campaign next year in which the pipeline becomes a significant point of debate.

"We see it as a great opportunity to raise awareness and organize in B.C. communities this summer."

Mr. Fenton, who says Canada can't meet its climate-change obligations if it builds pipelines, similarly describes Thursday's ruling as starting "the clock ticking on the real decision," namely whether the federal cabinet will approve the $6.8-billion project.

Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson, who has been a strong ally of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in other areas, is firmly opposed to the pipeline expansion that Mr. Trudeau's cabinet will now grapple with, and skeptical about the NEB process.

"We'll be watching closely what the NEB ruling is, noting the entire NEB review process is flawed and a farce and there's no confidence in the community in the ruling," Mr. Robertson said at an event earlier this week, standing beside federal Environment Minister Catherine McKenna, during an unrelated announcement.

"Vancouver continues to be very much against the expansion."

Burnaby Mayor Derek Corrigan says he's "resigned" to the NEB approval of the pipeline expansion. "They will, of course, put lots of meaningless conditions on the project, but the result was determined before the process started," he said in an e-mail.

The federal Liberal government has struck a three-member panel to review the proposed expansion and report to Natural Resources Minister Jim Carr by November.

"The terms of reference are laughable. It is like trying to put lipstick on a pig before we've even seen the pig," Mr. Corrigan wrote.

The B.C. government has formally taken a stand against the pipeline expansion, expressed in a written submission to the NEB earlier this year. B.C. concerns include Kinder Morgan's abilities to respond to spills.

However, the B.C. government was on Wednesday holding off on further comment until the release of the NEB report.

North Vancouver's Tsleil-Waututh First Nation, which has long been opposed to the Kinder Morgan pipeline expansion, will be holding a symposium on the environmental health of the Burrard Inlet, whose waters would see increased tanker traffic associated with the pipeline expansion.

But the event in Stanley Park will also be a forum for native leaders to speak about the NEB report.

"I won't be surprised when they come up and approve the pipeline," says Tsleil-Waututh spokesperson Reuben George.

"We'll still steadfastly be against the expansion of Kinder Morgan."

And Mr. Fenton says 350.org has trained about 120 volunteers for kayak-related activism against the project, adding that he will "absolutely" return to the water against tankers.

"The fact that people are preparing to engage in civil disobedience shows how little faith people have in the NEB," he said.

"It's widely believed [Thursday's] decision is a foregone conclusion. People are preparing for any eventuality to stop this pipeline."