After two successful workshops in Kitimat and Hazelton, the "Pipeline Road Show" moves to the Burns Lake First Nation community who will gather to learn about the links between oil and gas development in British Columbia and Alberta's oilsands, which are responsible for the largest growth in greenhouse gas pollution in Canada. The British Columbia interior has been devastated by climate-related catastrophes such as the mountain pine beetle infestation and increased forest fires. The Burns Lake workshop is the third in a series of five workshops being held in communities along the proposed Gateway pipeline route.
"Our communities already see the impacts of climate change first hand. The mountain pine beetle epidemic is impacting our forests and our communities. Bringing oil, gas and pipeline development into our territories would cause further significant cumulative impacts that could drastically alter our way of life," said Catherine Lessard, Vice Tribal Chief of the Carrier Sekani Tribal Council.
At least six large-scale pipeline and energy projects are proposed within the next five years. If pipeline infrastructure is in place, it will be easier to open up areas such as the Nechako and Bowser Basins in central British Columbia. The pipeline routes affect dozens of First Nations communities and could negatively impact British Columbia's fisheries, disturb wildlife habitat and contribute to global climate change.
The proposed pipelines would bring crude oil from Alberta's oilsands across northern British Columbia to Kitimat. From there it would travel by tankers to markets in the United States and Asia. The pipelines and related facilities and infrastructure all use energy and contribute to climate change. Climate change will alter British Columbia's ecosystems, further devastate its forests and bring rising sea levels to the coast.
"Evidence is mounting that northern ecosystems are the hardest hit by climate change. First Nations are the canaries in the climate mine," said Ellen Francis, Arctic Program Manager for the Pembina Institute.
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For more information:
Catherine Lessard, Vice Tribal Chief, Carrier Sekani Tribal Council, 250-565-5139.
Ellen Francis, Arctic Program Manager, the Pembina Institute, Cell: 604-928-2258
Download fact sheets for more information on impacts of oil and gas development in British Columbia: www.pembina.org/pubs
Burns Lake Workshop: Wednesday, October 18
The Gathering Place, Burns Lake Band Conference Room
Next Media Release:
First Nations who do not have treaties signed with federal and provincial governments stand to lose potential treaty settlement lands by proposed pipelines. Aboriginal title lands would be expropriated for the pipeline right-of-way, and larger portions of territory would be transected by the linear development.
Next on the Road Show:
Fort St James: Thursday, October 19
Kwah Hall
Fort St James
