New Westminster-Burnaby MP Peter Julian has submitted motion M-94 calling on the federal government to “immediately stop” construction of the Trans Mountain pipeline project, which terminates in Burnaby.
The NDP MP also called on the parliamentary budget officer to conduct an “ongoing and thorough” review of the financial viability of the pipeline expansion.
"It's crystal clear that the government made a bad decision in buying this pipeline and defending it to the hilt,” said Julian, in a statement. “It's a project that undermines our efforts to reduce GHGs, it's a project that doesn't create sustainable jobs, it puts our environment, our municipalities and our communities at risk. Furthermore, it is clear that this project represents a net financial loss for the government. In other words, no matter what the Liberals say, this project is a money pit that does not reflect our commitment to an energy transition.”
The motion was put forward at the urging of Tim Takaro, a Vancouver-area doctor who occupies a tree in Burnaby on a rotating basis to protest the project, including the cutting of trees.
Trans Mountain recently restarted the process of cutting down more than 1,300 trees and clearing brush in Burnaby along the Brunette River after a stop-work order was issued due to concerns about birds nesting in the area. Trans Mountain has also starting building a tunnel that will run from Burnaby Mountain to the Westridge Marine Terminal on Burrard Inlet.
“The Prime Minister has no credibility when he announced last April that he wanted to further reduce GHGs," said Julian, "while his government continues to support a dirty oil project that jeopardizes Canada’s commitments to the Paris Climate Agreement, makes no economic sense, and displays an alarming lack of respect for Indigenous Peoples’ Title and Rights.
