Joint Review Panel Hearings Terrace, B.C.

May 7-9, 2012

The National Energy Boards Joint Review Panel (JRP) community hearings began in Terrace on May 7, 2012. In an attempt to provide you with a sense of what is being said at these hearings, we have selected excerpts from some of those presentations and will continue to do so through to the end of the hearings in July. For those of you wishing to read the complete text of a statement, it is available on the JRP website: gatewaypanel.review-examen.gc.ca/clf-nsi/prtcptngprcss/hrng-eng.html

For many reasons we do not wish to see Enbridge oil line across the lands of waters and habitat to fisheries. What Im talking about here, in the watershed here is all the spawning habitats going on right now. I make my living off fisheries, as we said back then. Now, some of these are some of the reasons that get our tribe worried, concerned. The oil tankers on the coast have much risk. We have all the risk. Ill just go -- some of the examples, just since January 12th, the food chain that has happened already. Its one of the major things that has happened already. Since you were here starting February 1st, the eulachon run had come all up and down the coast. Ours was February 21st, it ran for a month. That one is done. The herring spawn has just finished just about a month ago. Theres still -- theres some of the herring spawn down the coast by Gomas (ph) and down Lax Kwalaams way; that is still there yet. And this weekend and for the past two weeks, were engaged in harvest -- seaweed harvest. And thats the sea prunes -- you remember what I was talking about, and the abalone goes around there, too, and all the other things in that habitat. Thats whats happening right now. And the clams that were going on when you were here in January 12th; the salmon is just about coming in. So these are just some of the concerns that as our tribe -- some of the facts that were concerned about at the risk here, absorbing all the risk that theyre going to possibly harm all this. Chief Don Roberts, Kitsumkalum Band

I am from Scotland, and for a time lived beside a salmon river, the River Dee. The River Dee runs -- the valley the River Dee runs through is known as Royal Dee Side, as Balmoral Castle is in the valley. The Dee rises in the Cairngorm Mountains and flows out to the North Sea through Aberdeen. The River Dee is not as prolific a salmon river as the Skeena, but it is also internationally famous for salmon fishing. To fish on the Dee, you pay per rod per day, and it is expensive. The Dee is divided into stretches or beats, and these are privately owned. I distinctly remember in the 1960s beats being sold for six figures, pounds, mind you, for only a few miles. Here we have the Skeena, also a world-renowned salmon fishing river, with a different type of splendour, a rugged splendour. And apart from a fishing licence, you are free to fish the length of the river in season. No one in their right mind would consider running pipelines as the proposed Northern Gateway through or beside the River Dee, yet here we are considering just that very thing for the Skeena and her tributaries. Ken Beddie

Im really upset about the possibility of system errors related to the pipeline. These errors are much more common when money issues or ideology or plain old saving face trump science and engineering. This is occurring at the moment. The government doesnt want to hear valid objection, muzzles its own scientists at conferences or inquiries and brands objectors as terrorists or un-Canadian. Canadian journalists have gotten international awards for exposing this. Dr. Patrick Butler

So we created a program called Youth on Water. And itll be the fourth year of this program. And we will have hundreds of young people by the end of this fourth year who have come with us and travelled on these different rivers, rivers of the Skeena watershed. So Im talking about the Bulkley. Im talking about the Telkwa. Im talking about the Zymoetz or the Copper River. Im talking about Kitsumkalum River, the Skeena River, all of these magical and spectacular rivers. Theres a risk with this pipeline, and Im nervous that these young people wont have the opportunity to do what Ive done. If this pipeline goes through, and there is a spill or a leak which I think is a statistical probability, they will not be able to share with their children and grandchildren the opportunities that Ive been able to share with them. Like I said, this is one of the last great wild salmon ecosystems in the world. We cant risk taking away that right that future generations have to see those bears and those eagles feeding on salmon and to watch caribou come down to the river. This is -- thats an opportunity that isnt mine to choose to give away for the sake of money. Christopher Gee

Lets look at this pipeline from a different angle, from a purely economic point of view. If the aim is to make as much profit for Canada as possible, then were also going about it all wrong. The reason we are shipping this oil out of Canada is that we apparently lack the infrastructure to refine it here. I have a hard time believing that $5.5 billion would not buy enough of that infrastructure to at least get us started. Imagine the profits if Canada became an oil-refining nation. In the long-term that would make us far more money than we would ever get by piping raw crude away from here as fast as we can. No matter how I ponder this pipeline, it seems like a concerted effort to fail completely and utterly to think in the long-term. It looks like the stakeholders in this undertaking clearly do not think about the health of our country, not its human population, never mind any other creatures. They also clearly do not consider about long-term profits. Inke Giannelia

It took Mother Earth over two billion years to reach the maturity that she had so that she could sustain us and its only taking man less than 100 years to take that all away from her. Not only have the warning signs been given to us by Mother Earth herself but many scientists have been attempting to warn the world. Just a year ago a group of scientists approached the United Nations to warn them of the conditions of the oceans; that if we dont stop what we are doing, overfishing, polluting with garbage and human waste and oil spills, there is not much chance for those oceans to survive. They are in such serious condition. Dr. David Suzuki has warned us on many occasions that if we dont change our practices, stop all the polluting and extraction of all of the forest, minerals and fossil fuels taking place throughout the globe, man may have very little time left on this planet. Aaron Greycloud

Were told that potential spills will be treated with state-ofthe-art technology, yet the technology that was used in Valdez in 1989 is essentially the same technology thats used today in oil spills, disperse, skim and burn. Burning depends on good weather, yet the proposed tanker route has some of the worst weather in the world. Were told the clean-up of 20 percent of an oil spill is considered a success, with 80 percent remaining to poison wildlife and life generations beneath gravel beaches. Anne Hill

I am not funded by any group or individual to speak at this hearing. I came here of my own accord because I think its important to protect this part of the world that I have made my home. I am neither a radical nor an enemy of the country, as has been implied by critics of those who oppose us. As a high school social studies teacher, I find it quite alarming to be labelled such things merely because I have asked questions and have come to my own conclusion that this project is not, and I quote, an urgent matter of Canadas national interest, but, rather, a direct threat to the Pacific Northwest. Greer Kaiser

Skeena Valley Expeditions employs about 20 people in the middle of the season, on -- in a busy season, and so theres a bit of employment for people. You know, its a small company, but there is work there for local people in the ecotourism industry just based out of Terrace. And obviously we take people down these rivers and many of these rivers that I mentioned are directly affected by this proposed pipeline, and the areas that we access, that we can access by road, are just a very small part of these rivers. And these -- the proposed location for these pipelines to cross the headwaters of some of these rivers, theres no way that they could get there and stop a leak; its impossible. And it would result in destroying this beautiful river and almost, you know, a good large part of the Skeena River itself, and that would, you know, make it impossible to take people down and enjoy these canyons and whitewater and these rivers. Jupiter MacDonald

I absolutely categorically object to China being involved in this project. Their human rights records and their environmental records should not be condoned and are seen to be condoned by Canada and Canadians if we allow their involvement. I believe that the planets people must become less reliant on fossil fuels due to the catastrophic and certain effects of climate change. Sadly, I am no longer proud to be a Canadian due to our governments negative stand on climate change our world reputation is sadly tarnished and this project, if approved, will further tarnish it. Terry Walker

Between 1999 and 2010, Enbridge oil and gas operations has had 804 spills, totalling over three million gallons of oil. Some of these spills occurred in areas with no particularly challenging topography, nor were they in remote areas. Also, more than a few of these spills occurred after the company had been warned of possible issues with equipment. Richard Clair

The risk borne by individuals in northwest B.C. far exceeds the benefits. I also feel strongly that the proposed project is not in Canadas national interest. In any discussion of a finite, nonrenewable resource, we must consider generational equity. Would future generations of Albertans, British Columbians, Canadians, if they could speak to us today, would they give their approval to the proposed project? Is rapid tar sands extraction, pumped and shipped west and sold to China, in their interest? Is this really the preferred alternative? Is this our most viable option? We should be considering alternatives to the proposed project. We should consider other markets and other routes to market. We should consider refining tar sands bitumen in Canada. We should consider alleviating domestic dependence on foreign energy sources before exporting. We should consider using Canadian oil revenues to fund development of new renewable energy sources, to fund research development and deployment of carbon capture and sequestration technology and to invest in future generations who otherwise do not directly benefit from current development of finite, non-renewable resources. And yes, we should consider the merits of leaving it in the ground. Matt Beedle

Id like to comment on the operational lifespan for the two pipelines depending upon the rate of oil consumption in the world which could be for one generation, 33 years, or it could be for two generations, for 66 years. Either scenario is a speck in time. What will happen to those two pipelines in that sensitive environment when the inevitable day arrives when theres no oil to transport? Will the pipelines be uprooted and disposed of? Not likely, because the cost would be staggering and the damage equally so. It is assumed that the pipe will stay in the ground and eventually corrode causing sinkholes and other environmental impacts. What the eventual outcome will be is anyones guess. Its unlikely that Enbridge or any other corporation in their place will be accountable 75 or 100 years from now. Is there going to be a posted bond or an absolute ironclad financial arrangement of money or insurance that cannot be touched or disappear into some black hole leaving the taxpayer responsible for whatever happens and to pick up the tab on reclamation and rehabilitation costs associated with the derelict pipelines. Jim Culp

Anyway, Enbridge claims within the application that they pretty well write-off condensate as a threat because it says 60 percent will evaporate in six hours. And that may well be quite true, but what is the product of that evaporation, and I wonder where does the other 40 percent go. Anyway, consulting the MSDS (Materiel Safety Data Sheet) for condensate by Vero Energy Incorporated of Calgary, the very first part below the header and the title states: Emergency Overview: The liquid product is highly flammable. May contain benzene, a proven human carcinogen. Vapours are heavier than air and may travel considerable distances to a source of ignition and flash back. Vapours may spread along the ground and may enter sewers, basements and other confined spaces. Then it goes on to discuss inhalation: Potential effects target the central nervous system, liver and kidneys. Inhalation may cause headaches, loss of appetite, drowsiness, nausea and vomiting, loss of consciousness, and even death. The benzene component is a known human carcinogen that may result in aplastic anemia and leukemia. Its rare in my experience to see that many death threats in one MSDS. Further research tells us that the vapour density is 3.4; 3.4 times heavier than air. Its interesting that chlorine gas, a chemical agent that was used in World War I, the notorious gas attacks, it has a vapour density of 2.5. That property was valued as that gas also sank and persisted in trenches. Brian Kean

Now, you can imagine being a fishing guide on the upper Morice River, which is one of the destination rivers in the world, a beautiful place, where fish rise to dry flies. Its sought after by all the steelheaders in the world. People come from Japan, from Germany, to fish for those fish. And youre guiding there. Maybe somebody is from say Germany or Japan, and he asks you, Whats that big pipe running down the river? And you say, Well, thats an oil pipeline carrying bitumen and solvent; does it diminish the experience? Does it decrease your value? I would say it does. I cant imagine any other country, like Sweden or Iceland, having pipelines run beside an invaluable, irreplaceable resource. You cant replace these things. Mitigation; thats what we hear. As soon as a projects starts, mitigation, Theres going to be mitigation. When you hear the word mitigation, red flags are up all over the place. What mitigation means is a guy is going to take your pickup truck and give you a bus pass or take away your home and give you a tent and a Coleman stove and tell you to go camping. Mitigation is a weasel word. It means youre going to damage something thats irreplaceable and give almost nothing back for it. Rob Brown

When I first engaged with Enbridge a number of years ago, before the NEB process started, I remember being told about the amazing technology of pipelines that would enable them to monitor from the inside as to whether pipelines were getting to that point where they would crack or break. And I remember being told also that there was a central sort of command system in Edmonton, whereby if there was a fault in a pipeline, it instantaneously, this sort of central command, would know that there was a loss of pressure in that pipeline and would be able to shut it off at certain points to stop for the oil spilling. I was therefore very dismayed to see the reality of the pipeline spill in Kalamazoo where the oil spilled for, I believe, 11 hours before it was turned off. In fact, if Im correct, it was people walking their dogs along a path that smelled the oil going into the Kalamazoo River who eventually made some phone calls to actually warn the people back in Edmonton that actually there was an oil spill. The route of this pipeline is nowhere near to any residences or people, where people live. It is largely in a remote part of northern British Columbia. When there is a spill or a break in that pipeline who is going to be there walking their dog to actually warn the people in Edmonton that we have a disaster on our hands? Skeena MLA Robin Austin

If the National Energy Board was to approach its final decision from consensus, it would recognize strong, heartfelt opposition of northern residents. And we are not rabid radicals, but people from all walks of life and professions and backgrounds and cultures and political persuasions because we know how volatile Mother Earth and Mother Nature is here in northern British Columbia and we fear the negative impact of an almost inevitable leak or spill. And those concerns cannot be written over top of by power and money and international trade and multi-nationals, nor the Conservative government, the trade Minister, nor the Prime Minister. Frances Birdsell

Normally, Im on the other side of this process as a consultant, mainly to industry. Im typically found giving support to a project application, extending my knowledge and my experience to reducing risks and harm, negative effects, maximizing the positive economic and social gains and sometimes improving environmental features as well. Ive worked as a professional biologist since 1998 managing projects from local forestry, mine, hydroelectric projects to projects that are further from home including uranium mines, coal mines, oil sands exploration and development. Many others have spoken specifically about the -- well, about the specific dangers of the project and the specific risks. And I will not speak to those specifically except to say that the land and the waters of this area are too valuable to be given over to a project that has inevitable and perhaps irreparable environmental consequences. The fact is that there are alternatives, there are alternate routes some of which, of course, already exist and others which do not exist, but would be safer routes. And there are also alternate options for the resource others have spoken of. Amanita Coosemans

Geographically, the rivers in the coastal section of British Columbia are classified as new rivers. Their river beds are not fixed in stone. They change based on the flooding and the circumstances that change from year to year. And although Ive been in this area for approximately 35 years, from a rivers perspective and for the changes to the topography, its a very short period of time. We have natural disasters that have changed things in the short time that Ive been here. I remember looking out my window in 1982 and watching the whole valley shake as we had a brief, but minor, earthquake. And Ive been living here for two of the earthquakes, though I dont recollect one of them. And Ive been here to see or to be witness to the snowfalls that have toppled the transmission towers that feed Kemano and the source of energy for Alcan, and this snow ultimately turns to water, which turns into potential flooding issues which takes out roads and rivers. Ian Gordon

I have cherished living in this incredible environment for over 30 years, moving far from my roots halfway across this vast country. Many of us here have come from overbuilt, polluted and fragmented environments. Many have stayed here to enjoy a pristine environment and to learn from this environment. I have learned that water feeds, transports and affects all life. What we witness in our region is the undisturbed and abundant web of life that the water provides for all. What we witness in this area is how the First Nations have continued to live for thousands of years by respecting this web and the interdependent relationship. I ask you, Panel, to understand the important role our diverse human communities have here. Many of us feel that by living here and sharing in this rich corner of the natural world that we are to be stewards, that we accept the right to speak up for the land and the natural environment that we belong to and to say no to Enbridge, to Mr. Harper and China. Oil and water do not mix. Lori Merrill

I spent many years in the Douglas Channel. I was a pile driver. I have built every structure you see from here on to Klemtu and into Kemano. I helped to build all of them. And youre working in 20-foot tides. Now, to somebody from the flat lands where you come from, it doesnt mean a whole lot, perhaps, but you can see the 20-foot tide is a real pain in the neck if youre trying to work. But its much worse, I tell you, if you get an oil spill that covers a 20-foot high cliff side is what it will do. And you know, Enbridge are less than honest when they tell us that theyll look after the -that only the best ships or the safest ships and all that will come here because they, in fact, have no control over it. As soon as it leaves the pipeline, theyre not in control. John Jensen

So I spent my youth around here enjoying the outdoors and really everything this has to offer. I fished the Douglas Channel and the surrounding waters for many years and Id suggest that Im intimately aware of the dangers in these waters. You know from rocks to gale force winds or the worst yet the combination of those two things coming together and that has me very fearful of supertankers cruising through this narrow channel. I pictured it as a like an image of a balloon full of bitumen floating around near countless miles of sharp and pointy rocks and so thats why Im here talking about, thats the image people -- make sure its clear in their mind. You know ships hit things and people make mistakes, people make errors. I would suggest that over the lifetime, if this project is go ahead, we will see an accident. You know, were talking about 800 metre ships going through passages that are, in some cases, are as narrow as 1,000 metres. So you guys can do the math as well as I can. Its kind of like using a bathroom on an airplane, really, you know, there really isnt even enough room to change your mind. Mikael Jensen

We also know that there are huge amounts of contaminated materials produced in the process and the ultimate state of the lands which have experienced tar sands extractions are left looking like a war zone. It is a very inefficient process, energy and resource-wise. There are signs to indicate that toxic waste produced in this process is leaching out of supposedly contaminated ponds, and possibly having negative impacts on human health down the river. This is particularly troubling in light of a report that came out just today from Canadas environment commissioner, indicating that hundreds, if not thousands of contaminated sites exist in Canada and are in desperate need of cleanup. Unfortunately, those companies responsible for those sites have washed their hands of the situation or have left or are no longer in existence, and the mess is left to poison plants, animals and humans in the area, and for generations to come. Amy Klepetar

The ego money, wanting another car, a bigger house, more things and never satisfied. The ego power to own more, to have more control, to be more powerful and never satisfied. The ego insecurity to be great, to show people what I can do. People could look at me with more envy and never satisfied. Our ego greed always wanting more, taking more, never satisfied. If it is not one thing, it will be another. As we see throughout the oil history and under the ego, there is never enough oil to satisfy the individual and what are costs to human health and lives and what are costs to this wonderful planet. Laszlo Ratkai

So what Im suggesting is that the policies of this government dont accurately reflect our citizens. I think this is especially so in this region regarding this proposal. But a project of this scale goes beyond partisanship in my opinion. The shelf life of national governments and those around the world -- of our national governance and those around the world do not really mesh with sound environmental policies that affect future generations. The short term fix is the easy way out. We need leadership that is willing to go out on a limb and try to reverse the course our planet is on. If I sound frustrated and cynical its because I am. The Northern Gateway proposal, lining a corporations pocket while exploiting unrefined oil when we are still importing oil to Eastern Canada, and we shoulder all the risk. Dustin Quezada

Fortunately the world and Canada is now guarded by the United Nations Declaration on the rights of indigenous people, and Im just taking a quote from the preamble of the Declaration: Recognizing the urgent need to respect and promote the inherent rights of indigenous peoples which derive from their political, economic, and social structures, and from their cultures, spiritual traditions, histories and philosophies, and especially their rights to lands, territories, and resources. Canada now has to respect First Nation rights and the right to self-government. And if it is that the First Nation communities say no to this proposal, Canada must respect that. Sheree Ronasen

I believe fresh water is the single most important natural resource on the planet. We cannot survive without it. We cannot create food without it. It is just -- it is the most important thing on earth basically. So putting a pipeline near any of that water supply is never going to be okay with me or anybody that agrees with me on that point. It seems almost funny, in an extremely sad way, that basic commonsense does not allow people to see that this is a bad idea. Boby Wagner

Already vast quantities of fresh water are used and polluted in the extraction of oil from tar sands bitumen up to four barrels of water per barrel of bitumen are required. This water comes from the Athabasca River and from groundwater, and both of these sources are limited and decreasing according to this same Environment Canada report. Huge amounts of natural gas are also burned in the extraction process. The Pembina Institute, for example, estimates that 74 billion cubic feet of natural gas or 34 percent of the annual consumption of natural gas in British Columbia will be required to fuel the increased tar sands production. To allow further expansion of this industry leaves Canada unable to speak without hypocrisy about global environmental issues. Instead, we set an example of greed and of subjugating environmental and social issues for the benefit of large corporate interests in the tar sands industry. Allen Wootten

The children in this region deserve a stable environment. They are being brought up to recognize and respect the environment that they live in and a pipeline is the most disrespectful thing that can happen in this region. What we need -- what would Enbridge do for the children if there was a spill? I truly do not believe in the trickle-down theory of economics that this wonderful mega project is going to do something for the children of this region. Our children would begin to look like the children that are in Africa, and its not acceptable. We need to ensure that this environment stays the way it should stay, pristine, and that we ensure that the fish in the rivers are there for the animals and the people to have as their sustenance food. Poverty is not acceptable. We signed the Declaration of the Rights of Children, this country did, and still we are not living up to it. And if we get the pipeline and there is a spill, for sure, whos going to care for the children in this region when their families cant and the government of Canada already doesnt live up to the responsibility it has. Larissa Tarwick

Often we hear the financial bottom line is always emphasized by the Harper government, as well as the provincial players in Alberta and B.C. But let me tell you, ultimately, nature has the final say about a bottom line. We can get away for a while with mega-scale exploitation of the planet, but any grade 12 science student will quickly see what has happened over the last 100 years on this planet is absolutely unsustainable and spiralling out of control. John Krisinger

Members of the Panel, the Skeena Angling Guides Association agrees unanimously that this Joint Review Panel should not -- not approve the Northern Enbridge Gateway Project. The way forward, or a way forward, would be to upgrade all bitumen into crude oil then still within Alberta, refine that crude oil into gasoline or diesel, et cetera. All of these tasks should be undertaken in Alberta, providing an even more increased employment opportunity for Canadians there. If building a world-class refinery in Alberta is economically unviable, we would then suggest piping the upgraded bitumen to existing refineries with excess capacity and maybe utilizing the Keystone pipeline as a vehicle to do this. Jezz Crosby

I do not profess to be an expert in oil pipelines or oil tankers, but one thing I do know is accidents do happen. One accident would be one accident too many. We cannot play in oil, we cannot eat in oil, and tourists do not want to come and look at oil oozing all over the forest floor or in our rivers or ocean. That is what a spill would do to our beautiful, bountiful rainforest. So when you go home, please think of what this area means to us in regards to recreation and food and the tourism. Please say no to Enbridge Northern Gateway project. Francoise Godet

We have several untold thousands of people, untold thousands of people, from what I understand, from border to border in northern British Columbia -- there is not a majority that support this. Its my understanding that, nationally, there are untold hundreds of thousands that are opposed; the common sense of putting such a high-risk project through this piece of territory. And on the other side to give due respect there are literally hundreds of people that are equally educated and equally rational and equally principled and well-meaning that propose that this project should go ahead. And if theres hundred for it and theres hundreds of thousands against it, I say it comes off the table as a project that wouldnt be. Now, if thats wrong and this goes through then we have to redefine the word democracy because its not a majority rule its something rammed down the majoritys throat and thats the end of my presentation. Mark Collins

Many stakeholders, including First Nations in communities along the route, anticipate significant, immediate and longterm environmental risks to land, streams, rivers and the ocean as a result of the Northern Gateway pipeline with minimal or no social, economic or environmental benefit to them. The proponent says it will be responsible with this project and will make extra effort to conserve and protect the environment. Although its poor environmental protection track record leaves British Columbians asking, is the poor track record the result of a company that is doing its best but just isnt capable of providing the environmental protection required in projects of this magnitude of the Northern Gateway pipeline, or does the history of spills and half-hearted response actions reflect a less than best attitude and effort on the part of the proponent? Paul Hanna

The bottom line, if I can just summarize, is that the risks are tremendous. The risks are predictable. And the clean-up costs of the accidents are so astronomical that it really makes me wonder why a successful corporation would even consider a venture like this. Considering the high risk, the astronomical costs of clean-up, why would they? I can only speculate that theyre already banking on tax dollars to bail them out when the accidents actually happen. Now, again, from the point of view of a corporation, that may be fine, but a responsible government should never allow this to happen. Unfortunately, we dont seem to have one of those at the moment. Alexander Lautensach

I wish to draw your attention not only to risk, but also to perception of risk, and both are significant in this issue. First of all, the risks will be disproportionately borne by British Columbians while the rewards will go largely to shareholders and bondholders, many of them foreign. Observers from Wall Street or Beijing have probably never caught a salmon from a pool shared with a black bear or watched eagles riding thermals above the Skeena Valley. Whats it to them, aside from a financial inconvenience, if they turn any river in B.C. into a toxic drainage ditch? Executive dismay over the spill into the Kalamazoo River in Michigan was likely far more to do with financial liability than with the biological hazard and damage created along the rivers course. These observations are not environmental risks per se, but they are relevant to how one perceives environmental risk. None of you on the Panel lives here. Might your perception of the threat not be tempered by your eventual distance from it? I dont wish to impugn your integrity, but it is human nature to discount the importance of distant calamities. Alan Lehmann

Shortly after arriving here, we took the ferry down the coast to join the family for Christmas. At one point during that trip, there were masses of porpoises playing in the wake of the ferry. Picture it, a wake on each side of the ferry and four or five waves deep, and in each of those waves, there were six or seven porpoises jumping and obviously having fun in the waves. It was an extraordinary sight and quite overwhelming. We all got goose bumps watching it. Our kids had never forgotten it and still talk about it. They both want to come back as porpoises. We cant consider the pipeline without considering the tankers going up and down the coast. One spill in a narrow inside passage would devastate the thousands of miles of coastline along the mainland and around the hundreds of islands that make up our west coast. It would have dire effects on the porpoises and all other life living in and around the sea. This includes humans who depend on the sea for food and livelihood. I cannot imagine how you clean up this rugged and intricate coast. Jane Treweeke

I would like to share some of our adawx. These laws are taught starting at the beginning of a Tsimshian persons life. These laws are lived and breathed in every moment, in order for a Tsimshian person to be true to him or herself throughout the journey. When youre taking a food, never turn your nose up or act in any way disrespectful towards that which provides you with life. The animal that is giving up his or her life in order that I, as one of the two-legged, can survive is a position of one to be forever honoured and held in sacredness. As a warrior, when I take of this food in order to sustain my life, then I had better be prepared to return the favour and give back by protecting that which has sustained me, thus my reason for speaking today. When I allow Enbridge oil to touch the life of that which sustains me without at least attempting to stop it, then I am an active participant in breaking this Tsimshian law. I will not participate in such atrocities. Brenda Wesley

In the northwest here, we have seen resource companies come and go. After it becomes no longer profitable for these companies they go somewhere else and we are left with the destruction of our habitat in which we live. This pipeline is no different. Our riches here are not of the monetary kind. The beauty of our mountains, the rivers, the animals and the fish are what make us rich. Extracting resources and exporting them for short term gain while destroying the environment will make us poor. The building of this pipeline will facilitate this. Our country should not be so eager to give our resources away at the cost of our environment and jobs. They need to be processed here and supply Canadians with long-term jobs. Troy Peters

Lastly, should our economic development not give us the maximum benefit instead of the minimum? Why are we selling this resource as quickly as we can when it is going to dramatically rise in value? Why are we selling it to other economies instead of using it to support our own? It is like selling raw logs. What permits governments or corporations to weaken the national economy by selling the national resources that it requires? The answer to all these questions is there is too much damage or potential damage to the environment, our communities within it, and our national economic self-interest to allow this project to proceed. Robert Hart

Some incidents, the Exxon Valdez and Costa Concordia shipwrecks for example, were caused by human neglect. Others, such as the Fukushima disaster, the Deep Water Horizon and quite possibly the two recent sawmill explosions in British Columbia, were the result of inadequate or inappropriate facility design, construction or maintenance; the Rumsfelds Factor. The risk exposure of the proposed Enbridge project belongs to the same class as Fukushima Power Plant project and the Deep Water Horizon. If there is a disaster, the consequences will not be limited in time and location as they are following a train accident or an ice jam. The consequences of crude oil spilling into one of the regions rivers or British Columbias coastal waters cannot be foretold. We cannot know the circumstances, likelihood or the full extent of such an event. Andre Jean Carrel

This project would provide concentrated profits and an enhanced lifestyle for a few at the ruin of the quality of life of many. The rapid development of the tar sands and their capillary projects have not had the promised national benefit. Our country has been running record deficits and manufacturing jobs across the country are being lost due to the rapid expansion of energy extraction projects. Why sell it all now? Why not save this resource for Canadians over the long term? Paul Geier

Who is responsible when the tanker leaves the port? Is Enbridge responsible for the spills that happen or is it, once it leaves the port, is it the Canadian Government Coast Guard that watch over this and respond to this. Or is it watched by Enbridge themselves till it leaves Canadian waters? In the channels that they want to go through, it can blow glass out of a crew boat, and as has been mentioned, the slides go on and on and on. Randall Rodger

I dont agree with this pipeline from the outset, and there is no way I could ever change my mind. Donald J. Bruce

Well Canada doesnt tend to enforce environmental laws. It took Environment Canada 20 years to collect 2.4 million in fines from major polluters. By comparison, the Toronto Public Library collected 2.6 million in just one year from overdue book fines. Typically, environmental offenders arent held accountable. Theyre like little kids running ahead looking neither right nor left, taking absolute risks and then saying, Oh gee, sorry later. Betty Geier

A couple of days ago Chief Roberts welcomed us to his peoples territory and he spoke briefly about the common bowl. This is a sophisticated and highly nuanced way of living as a community and as a nation amongst other nations. Its something that this country could probably learn to do all by ourselves. I wont cheapen it by trying to get into the details of it here. Suffice it to say that its a concept that is central to feasting and Aboriginal governance on the coast. At the feast everyone is nourished from a common bowl, and you come to it with respect and with responsibility. And you know that everyone partaking from the bowl comes there with clean hands. Because you come with clean hands and everybody takes their fair share, no more and no less. I like to think of our atmosphere as a common bowl. Im trained as a weather forecaster. What goes around comes around. And if you disrespect others by coming to the feast with unclean hands then youre putting crud into the common bowl and you are not acting responsibly. John How

Strictly speaking from a personal point of view, Im dismayed and disheartened at the proposed Enbridge projects. These colossal multinational projects of unsustainable proportions should never be sanctioned or condoned by our government. That theyre willing to sacrifice our habitat, our home, has ignited a spirit of defensiveness and protection in me. All the more so as I have recently become a grandmother and Im standing here more for future generations than for myself. Cheri Reidy

Also, what is going to happen to the curious grizzly bears and black bears during the construction? Theyre simply -- are they simply going to be shooed away if they slow down the crew? No, itll probably get shot and tossed aside. Shekina Smart

National interest. Are not our children and their future the national interest? And Im not only talking about the children here, Im talking about all of Canadas children. Canadas natural resources and natural places do not go on forever. We do not own these lands, the government does not own these lands; these lands belong to the future generations. What are we leaving for them? Were risking all for the benefit of a few here and now without concern for future generations. If its economy that talks, what will their economy be based on? Colette Stewart

I realize that we all use oil, but I also realize that our world faces several challenges as a result of past, current and future use of oil. It is clearly evident to me that our world is at a point where we need to find energy alternatives. Expertise and resources need to be directed towards researching and developing such alternatives and making them available to the public. Canada as a world leader should be spearheading such a movement and not delaying it, as it would seem that they would be doing if they approve this project. I believe that the oil sands should be used as a transitional resource in the development of alternatives, not as a reserve to be exploited completely for maximum profits. The oil from Canada could actually be used in Canada to help offset our oil imports as we transition to a cleaner and renewable energy system. Canada needs to take a stand and take steps for a better world, and not just increase profits. We need to look past dollar signs now and think about the world and the Canada that will be left for future generations. David Duddy

As a Canadian citizen I do not believe that the project is in Canadas best economic or security interests. There may be short term monetary gains for a few Canadians, but the benefits of the pipeline would largely flow to Chinese corporations and Asians citizens. Longer term, I see no benefits to Canada or its citizens. At the very least, it is not for the public good and at the very worst it could be disastrous for Canada. Mia Reimers

Because I was an Economic Development Officer, it was expected that I was supportive of most, if not all economic opportunities. I would occasionally meet with Enbridge officials and they would ask me why they were facing increasing opposition and if I could help turn that tide. Im actually ashamed to say that I did not speak up in opposition to the project then with those officials sitting in front of me in my office. At the time, I was a representative of the city and region and there was economic desperation here. Speaking up against a project like this was deemed unacceptable since it was perceived it would make Terrace seem like we were not, quote unquote, open for business. Also, I could not speak strongly for or against any project without support from our Economic Development Authoritys Board of Directors. I recognize that being here today in opposition of this project certainly does not help me gain future employment in economic development. I am very proud to be here today before you speaking in full opposition of this project and Im very pleased that our Terrace City Council has spoken and voted to officially oppose this project. Sam Harling

It seems to me that the people behind this must be called radicals in the sense that they are prepared to endanger a thriving salmon industry along the Skeena and the fish stocks off our coast for a shortterm profit. They are willing to put so many livelihoods in jeopardy for profits for a few. It seems to be short-term thinking and basically gambling with other peoples futures. The people who oppose this venture, especially First Nations but many others, I think, are the real conservatives. They dont think the benefits are worth the risk. In the long run, oil profits are nothing compared to the living ecosystem that has been, you know, nourishing people here for thousands of years and is still providing us $100,000,000 a year as the Skeena Sports Fishery or the combined fishery along the Skeena, I should say. And then theres more on the coast. So I think a major spill or a series of smaller ones could destroy our water and fish stocks. We could end up impoverished, watching the wealth flowing by our town on its way to another country. Noel Reidy

This pipeline would export jobs and allow China to expand and further increase our jobless rate. China has a very questionable human rights track record and by exporting 325,000 tonnes of bitumen per very large crude carrier, 250 times per year, we will be an accessory to Chinas almost criminal treatment of their citizens. China has the death penalty, proven by the executions we hear about on a regular basis. Some of these executions are for crimes that would warrant a small jail sentence here in Canada. Walter Fricke