FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Sierra Club BC Climate Campaigner David Farrell offers the following statement in response to today’s announcement designating the West Coast Oil Pipeline as a project of national interest:

“Calling this pipeline a project of national interest does not change what it is, a financially reckless fossil fuel project that will make climate change worse.

“Wildfires, droughts and floods are threatening communities and causing billions of dollars in damage. Climate change caused by fossil fuel pollution is only going to make these disasters worse.

“Canada cannot fight climate change with one hand while using the other to build a massive new source of carbon pollution. This pipeline would support decades of additional fossil fuel production when Canada needs to cut emissions.

“This is a bad deal for Canadians. The pipeline would require a huge public investment, create few permanent jobs, and benefit one highly subsidized boom or bust industry. Canadians would carry the financial, health and safety risks while oil companies and their investors collect the profits.

“This project will also bring B.C.’s iconic Southern Resident orcas closer to the brink of extinction by increasing tanker traffic in their habitat.

“Canada will not gain energy independence by building an export pipeline tied to global oil prices, external markets and foreign investors. Real energy independence requires Canada to diversify into clean electricity, transmission, energy storage and Canadian technology.

“Canada has written its emissions target into law through the Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act. Abandoning our laws to expand oil production works directly against that commitment.

“At best, this pipeline will waste taxpayer dollars. At worst, it will increase the pollution driving wildfires, droughts, floods and extreme weather so wealthy oil companies can profit at our expense.”

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