Proponents of the Enbridge (TSE:ENB) Northern Gateway Project are facing another hurdle after Kitimat residents voted 'No' to supporting the pipeline — albeit in a non-binding plebiscite.
The April 12 vote split the B.C. community of 8,000 by a margin of 41.6% (1,278) in favour of the pipeline to 58.4% (1,793) voting against it.
Kitimat Mayor Joanne Monaghan said in a statement that council would discuss the results in an April 14 meeting and "then we'll go from there with whatever council decides."
The Dogwood Initiative, one of the groups protesting the $6.5-billion oil pipeline that would run from Alberta to a proposed supertanker terminal in Kitimat, is pushing for a province-wide vote on the project.
"This project would have serious ramifications for the whole province, so all British Columbians deserve to vote on it," Kai Nagata, Dogwood's energy and democracy directo, said in a statement.
"That should extend far beyond just speaking to a panel or writing your local newspaper. Regardless of whether you support this proposal, the decision should be made by British Columbians."
Dogwood is using the new website LetBCVote.ca to get British Columbians to sign a pledge supporting a vote on plans to expand oil pipelines and tanker traffic.
Donny van Dyk, Northern Gateway's manager of coastal Aboriginal and community relations, said in a statement the plebiscite showed there was a lot of support for the project, but Enbridge still has more work to do.
“Over the coming weeks and months we will continue to reach out and listen to our neighbours and friends so that Northern Gateway can build a lasting legacy for the people of our community,” he said.
