At a news conference in Vancouver on Monday, featuring high-profile opponents of Enbridge’s Northern Gateway pipeline proposal, Mr. Anderson accused the company of having a “cowboy culture” that is indifferent and careless toward environmental safety.
“They should just go away,” said Mr. Anderson, who spent five years as Environment Minister from 1999-2004, under former Liberal Prime Minister Jean Chrétien.
He referred to a litany of oil spills from Enbridge-operated pipelines, including a large rupture in Michigan that prompted U.S. safety regulators to brand the company’s initial response to the mishap as “Keystone Kops.”
Mr. Anderson, a long-time opponent of oil tanker traffic along the B.C. coast, castigated Enbridge’s commitment to spend an extra $500-million to further increase safety of the Gateway pipeline, including thicker pipe.
“You don’t change a corporate culture by spending more on steel,” he said.
Mr. Anderson urged B.C. Premier Christy Clark to go further in her opposition to the Enbridge pipeline and reject it completely.
Ms. Clark has set five pre-conditions, including a greater share of pipeline revenue, before she will consider it.
“She’s tried hard to be reasonable, but I’d prefer her to come out against the pipeline and against Enbridge,” Mr. Anderson said.
Enbridge spokesman Paul Stanway rejected Mr. Anderson’s assertions.
“He’s entitled to his opinion, but I’d be interested to know how his opinion was formed,” Mr. Stanway said. “To my knowledge, he’s never made any enquiries about how we operate as a company.”
Asked whether Enbridge has a cowboy corporate culture, Mr. Stanway replied: “No, of course we don’t, except for the two weeks of the Calgary Stampede.”
He said Mr. Anderson made up his mind a long time ago about the pipeline proposal. “So, it’s difficult to have a conversation with him.”
Meanwhile, native leader Stewart Phillip, president of the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs, vowed blockades and mass protests against the pipeline, if it receives regulatory approval to proceed.
“Our people are prepared to go to the wall against this. There’s no doubt about that,” Grand Chief Phillip declared.
He called the Enbridge pipeline proposal and resulting oil tanker traffic the most significant issue B.C. natives have faced.
“This is not about money,” said Grand Chief Phillip, referring to Ms. Clark’s demand for a larger share of Alberta’s pipeline revenue. “This is about the integrity of our land, and we are willing to go to any length to defend that.”
Original Article
Source: the globe and mail
Author: Rod Mickleburgh
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