On Nov. 13, student leaders, community activists and members of the public gathered at Simon Fraser University to protest Kinder Morgan’s proposed pipeline expansion, an 1,150-kilometre system between Alberta and B.C., including a section that would run through Burnaby Mountain.
Opponents of the project argue that the pipeline could have a catastrophic effect on the environment, including conservation areas on the mountain. In May, the Tsleil-Waututh Nation filed a case with the Federal Court of Appeal in an attempt to delay the pipeline, which has been heavily opposed by First Nations. The proposed expansion would see pipeline running though traditional First Nations territories and communities.
The Simon Fraser Public Interest Research Group, a student-run centre dedicated to social and environmental justice, endorsed the rally, along with other student and community groups. Organizations such as Sea Shepherd Vancouver, Sustainable SFU and the Council of Canadians were present to share resources and collect signatures and donations, which will go towards a legal fund for the activists currently charged in the Kinder Morgan lawsuit.
(Ed. note: Since this story was written, all charges related to the Burnaby Mountain protest have been thrown out by the courts.)
Speakers included Carl Perrin of BROKE (Burnaby Residents Opposing Kinder Morgan Expansion), Brigette de Pape of the Council of Canadians and Eoin Madden of the Wilderness Committee. Burnaby mayor Derek Corrigan, a vocal opponent of Kinder Morgan, was expected to make an appearance but was unable to attend.
The Wild Flower Women of Turtle Island Drum Group performed several songs throughout the day.
In his speech, Perrin urged the community to support Corrigan’s re-election, saying, “He’s taking a very brave stand and Kinder is trying to get rid of him in this election. Vote because your life in 2050 depends on it.”
(Ed. note: Corrigan was handily re-elected mayor of Burnaby.)
Throughout the day, speakers reiterated their concerns about the pipleine and argued that Kinder Morgan poses a threat to the environment and the community.
Community unity was the theme of the afternoon as speakers urged the crowd to take a stand. Jonathan Catliff of Sustainable SFU said, “It’s events like this, and it’s people like you, that give me hope that we can make these much needed changes.”
Speaker Eoin Madden echoed his sentiments, saying, “What’s happening on Burnaby Mountain is happening everywhere. We are starting to rise up and we’re starting to fight back.”
Attendees were invited to join the protesters on Burnaby Mountain, who had been blocking Kinder Morgan employees from working in the Burnaby Mountain Conservation area.
On Nov. 14, Kinder Morgan was granted an injunction against protestors, who were ordered to dismantle their barricades and encampments or face arrest.
Pricilla Westlake
Nice article Marissa. I liked the fact that you got some good quotes from key speakers at the SFU Kinder Morgan pipeline rally. I also enjoyed how you chose to lay out your article with four pictures interspersed between blocks of text, it broke it up nicely and made it visually appealing. It’s good to see change happening and people taking a stand against things they don’t feel are right and giving these kinds of issues legs like you did through this article is nice way of spreading awareness and sending your own sociopolitical messages out to the world.