In light of U.S. report, Canada must abandon proposed Enbridge Northern Gateway project

It's time to abandon the proposed Northern Gateway pipeline project. Enbridge's safety record has been discredited.

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Some risks are simply too big to take. In light of the report issued Tuesday by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board, censoring Enbridge for reckless safety procedures with ghastly environmental consequences, the Enbridge Northern Gateway pipeline project is clearly too great a risk for Canada to take. The project must be abandoned at once.

The National Transportation Safety Board report released on Tuesday skewered Enbridge for their dysfunctional response to the largest onland oil spill in US history.Enbridge was found to have poured millions into public relations campaigns while nickel-and-diming safety issues and environmental protections.

Let's not let this happen in BC.

Damning evidence revealed by the NTSB about Enbridge's culpability in the 2010 Michigan oil spill showed that Enbridge failed in their responsibility to ensure that they do everything in their power to reduce the risk of harm to the public and the environment.

It makes no sense to reward a company responsible for the largest onland oil spill in US history be given the right to build a pipeline through BC's pristine wilderness. Enbridge must not be allowed to put the coast, the lands, and the homes that British Columbians cherish at risk.

Enbridge claims their project will create 3,000 construction jobs at the peak of construction with 560 long-term jobs in BC. Writing in The Tyee, economist and former head of ICBC Robyn Allan calculated that since peak of construction is only a three month period in the five year project a more accurate number is 1,000 construction jobs.

While modern society’s complexity makes risk a part of life, who gets to define acceptable and unacceptable risks is the winner in a power struggle over how to shape the kind of world we live in. And not all risks are created equal.

People take risks every day. Often unknowingly. But with Enbridge’s Michigan oil spill response on record, the risks that come will come with the Northern Gateway project are now a matter of public record.

Let Canada's political leaders take note, particularly Prime Minister Stephen Harper who some say is making pipelines both his religion and his legacy.

Future generations will hold Mr. Harper accountable.

http://www.vancouverobserver.com/politics/opinion/light-us-report-canada...