Local environmental groups and activists have welcomed a recent decision by the Ontario government to launch consultations on the Energy East Pipeline, which will allow opponents and proponents of the cross-Canada project to express their views on oil sands expansion.
The proposed TransCanada pipeline would carry 1.1 million barrels of crude oil per day from Alberta to Saint John, N.B. The natural gas line that currently crosses the Rideau River would be converted into an oil pipeline as part of the route.
Andrea Harden-Donahue, energy and climate justice campaigner with the Council of Canadians, organized a protest in front of the Prime Minister’s Office in downtown Ottawa on Nov. 16 to illustrate how damaging a spill in the river could be.
More than 150 people showed up in support of the “Defend our Climate” national day of action, chanting “Tar Free 613” and laying down sandbags and black cloth to simulate an oil spill and show that “people power” can put a stop to it.
“I think what we’re seeing right now is movements grow and build across the country that are making very cogent arguments, be it the impacts in their community or the broader impacts in terms of what’s happening in Alberta and climate change,” says Harden-Donahue.
Some of these arguments include the potential for a spill in drinking water sources such as the Rideau River, as well as concerns that the pipeline would primarily be used for oil export to international markets.
Philippe Cannon, spokesperson for the Energy East Pipeline, says the pipeline is a potential way to transport oil for export, but it would supplement costs of production in Alberta refineries. He says TransCanada also monitors the pipelines around the clock to ensure safety.
“Precautions are taken when we’re close to sensitive areas,” Cannon says. “If there were any bumps or cracks or stress caused by erosion, we would know it, and we would be able to dig and fix any problem that occurs.”
TransCanada uses an inspection tool called the “smart P.I.G.,” or pipeline investigation gauge, which travels along the pipeline to test for defects. According to the TransCanada website, pipelines are continuously monitored from a pipeline control centre.
Ben Powless, anti-pipeline organizer with Ecology Ottawa, says that even if TransCanada could promise no oil spills, activists would still oppose the pipeline because it allows what they call the “tar sands” to expand.
“What that represents is a really reckless approach towards climate change, and a future that really threatens not just a lot of species on the planet, but us as well,” says Powless.
While concerns for the environment have taken centre stage in more than 130 “Defend our Climate” actions across Canada, TransCanada says the pipeline will create approximately 10,000 direct jobs during the construction phase and 1,000 permanent jobs once it is complete.
Paul Dewar, NDP MP for Ottawa Centre, said the federal government should initiate a fair and open dialogue on the pipeline before moving ahead with the project.
“Unfortunately, the Conservatives have recklessly reduced Canadian environmental protection laws, making it more challenging to ensure safe and sustainable development in the extractive industry,” Dewar said in an e-mail.
For Graham Saul, executive director of Ecology Ottawa, the Ontario Energy Board consultation is a step in the right direction. His organization feels they’ve been largely left out of the federal review process.
“At the very least, that will provide an open opportunity for people who care about these issues to come together and express their opposition,” says Saul.
“We’re all on the front line of climate change.”