Environmental organization ForestEthics is using a recent Mustel poll as ammunition in its fight against Enbridge Inc.’s proposal to build a pipeline from northern Alberta to a new marine terminal in Kitimat.
Enbridge believes the multi-billion dollar project, known as the Enbridge Northern Gateway project, will benefit both Alberta and B.C.
It filed an application May 27 with the National Energy Board to build and operate the pipeline.
“Eight out of 10 British Columbians do not want crude oil tanker traffic in their coastal waters,” said ForestEthics senior energy campaigner Nikki Spruce. She pointed to the oil slick in the Gulf of Mexico as evidence that Enbridge’s proposal “is a way of the past, not a way of the future.”
Mustel had released a poll earlier this week that found 80% of British Columbians want Ottawa to maintain its ban on oil tankers transporting crude oil through B.C.’s inside passage. However, only 51% were opposed to Enbridge’s proposal including 19.3% who somewhat oppose the project and 31.7% who strongly oppose it.
Enbridge CEO Patrick Daniel said: “The Enbridge Northern Gateway Pipeline project will open important new markets for Canadian crude oil; it will create jobs and a substantial long-term boost to our nation’s economy as well as the communities through which it will pass.”