(Vancouver, BC) Enbridge Inc. had their latest significant pipeline spill near Elk Point just northeast of Edmonton, Alberta earlier this week. It appears the leak occurred sometime on Monday but was not made aware to people until later this week. This latest issue was a sizeable Enbridge spill with an estimated 230,000 litres of crude oil spilled from their Athabasca line.
BC Mètis Federation has recently released more information about the views of growing opposition expressed by Mètis people throughout British Columbia regarding the proposed Enbridge project entitled Northern Gateway Pipelines project. During three months of recent Mètis public consultation led by the BC Mètis Federation, Mètis people expressed their concerns about the pipelines safety, spill response, and impacts to their traditional ways of life by those most directly impacted by the propose Enbridge Northern Gateway Pipelines project.”
BC Métis Federation President Keith Henry stated, “This is more and more reasons why Mètis people in BC have justifiable concern and opposition to this proposed project. Our recent Mètis public consultation process proved strong opposition with about 93% of the respondents in strong opposition to the propose Enbridge Northern Gateway Pipelines project. The reasons vary but the main issue is people understand that it is not a matter of when a spill occurs it will occur. This pipeline was not old, Enbridge monitoring was late and could not prevent a sizable spill, and worse yet, there appears to be very little information to stakeholders impacted in the area. Imagine this spill in a key waterway where salmon are running. This clearly would have devastating impacts.”
BC Métis Federation President Henry concluded, “The MNBC continues to showcase their complete lack of understanding of the seriousness of the potential impacts in BC in consideration of the proposed Enbridge Northern Gateway Pipelines project. As we know today the MNBC board signed on in support of the proposed Enbridge Northern Gateway Pipeline project allegedly on behalf of the Mètis people and communities in BC. MNBC President Dumont continues to make statements that MNBC is the ultimate authority and communities have to comply with their decisions. This is certainly incorrect in our opinion and a complete contradiction to the spirit and intent of the MNBC governance structure. That is why so many of us have walk away and move to rebuilding through the BC Mètis Federation. No Mètis organization, such as MNBC, can be allowed to act as a dictatorship. This latest Enbridge spill is just another reason for Mètis people to speak out about how you are being represented.”
For more information about the BC Métis Federation please view the website.
Media Inquiries:
Keith Henry
President
BC Métis Federation
#300-3665 Kingsway
Vancouver, BC V5R 5W2
Office 1-604-638-7220
Cell 1-778-388-5013
Email k.henry@bcmetis.com
You can now follow BC Métis Federation President Keith Henry on twitter @keithhenryMetis
[ilink url=”/wp-content/uploads/BCMF-Press-Release-June-20h-2012-Enbridge-Spill.pdf” style=”download”]Download this Letter in PDF format[/ilink]
[ilink url=”/wp-content/uploads/Enbridge-Elk-Point-Spill-Pumps-About-230.pdf” style=”download”]Enbridge Elk Point Spill Pumps About 230[/ilink]
