This morning, B.C. NDP leader Adrian Dix announced his party’s opposition to Kinder Morgan’s plans to turn “Vancouver into a major oil export port.”

In response to the announcement, Eric Swanson, Campaign Director for the Dogwood Initiative, said:

“We applaud the NDP for standing up for the interests of British Columbians. Proposals to bring hundreds of oil export tankers to our coast are not in the best interests of British Columbians.

“Kinder Morgan’s expansion proposal would only provide 35 long-term jobs. Meanwhile, real estate development, tourism, high-tech, film, hospitality and coastal industries rely upon the natural environment and trade on Vancouver’s ‘greenest city’ brand. Together, these industries employ more than 200,000 people in the Lower Mainland.

“The majority of British Columbians oppose putting our coast at risk of an oil spill for so little benefit. While the oil industry and pundits outside B.C. are sure to criticize the NDP’s position, the party has done the right thing by siding with citizens and taking a principled stand against oil tanker proposals. It is, after all, the job of politicians to represent their constituents.

“On the flip side, the B.C. Liberals have effectively not taken a position on the second most important issue on the minds of most voters in this provincial election and, if anything, have indicated they’d be willing to sell out B.C.’s coast for the right price.”

Contact:

Eric Swanson
Campaign Director, Dogwood Initiative
250-858-9990