Northern Gateway pipeline hearings open

Public hearings that may determine the fate of a controversial proposal to build the Northern Gateway pipeline to the West Coast from Alberta's oilsands have started in the First Nations community of Kitamaat Village, B.C.

Tension dominated Tuesday morning's ceremony launching the hearings into Enbridge's plan to pipe oil to the port in Kitimat, B.C., where it would be loaded on tankers and shipped to markets in Asia, from the Edmonton area.

Haida aboriginal leader Art Sterritt, representing 10 coastal First Nations opposed to the pipeline, said aboriginal communities must live with the threat of an oil spill. "We've got an Alberta prime minister trying to bully British Columbians," he said.

Outside the meeting hall, Matthew Mask, a local plumber dressed in a Super Mario costume, said plumbers need oil jobs. "Me and my brother, if we don't have a pipeline, how are we supposed to get work around here? It's not fair."

'Walk softy on our road'

More than 4,300 individuals and groups have signed up to speak at the hearings, which are being conducted by a federal review panel and are expected to last until 2013.

The strong words from both sides were a stark contrast with the gentle opening delivered by hereditary Haisla Chief Sammy Robinson.

"Walk softly on our road," he said. "We are very happy to have you in our territory. Good luck."

The project has long been a source of controversy, with opponents arguing an oil spill is inevitable and supporters touting the pipeline's promises of boosting Canada's gross domestic product by as much as $270 billion.

Kitimat resident Diane Dessureault welcomes the project's promise of more jobs.

"I do believe it's a good idea," she said. "Of course I don't want to have any oil spill. I'm afraid of a car accident. Do I drive? Yes. I'm afraid of flight accidents but do I take flights and go on holiday? Oh yes. Of course I'm afraid of it, but I don't think it will happen."

Students fear spill

At Haisla school, young students heading home were eager to express their views.

"I think that if any oil leaks … and leaks into the ocean … it's going to poison all the other fish," said Charissa Woods, 12.

"All the animals will die. Yeah, it'll leak if it breaks ... our fish might die and the oil might pollute the ocean," added Elmer Smith, 10.

Aboriginals across British Columbia have vowed to fight the proposal, saying the pipeline infringes on their traditional territories and the threat of an oil spill on land or along the coast threatens their lifestyle.

Late last year, when Elmer Derrick, a hereditary chief of the Gitxsan First Nation announced he had signed a deal with Enbridge on behalf of his people, a backlash from within his community erupted.

Protests continue outside of Derrick's Gitxsan treaty office in Hazelton, B.C.

Original Article
Source: CBC