New Democrats Call for Tanker Ban on West Coast Following Spill

Tanker ban on BC's north coast long overdue 

by NDP.ca

October 14th, 2016

 

OTTAWA – An American tug, the Nathan E. Stewart, pushing an empty fuel barge along BC’s Central Coast ran aground and sank Thursday morning causing 200,000 liters of diesel to leak into critical and sensitive areas. If the tanker barge had been full, the damage would have been much worse, with NDP MP, Nathan Cullen (Skeena—Bulkley Valley) calling it a “least-worst-case scenario.”

Sunken tug towing Nathan E. Stewart 

Common Sense Canadian (Image submitted)

“British Columbians are waking up today, imagining if this had been a fully loaded super tanker, and thinking about the devastation it could have done to fishing resources, First Nations communities, and our environment,” Cullen said. 

“They’re wondering why their prime minister hasn’t yet acted on his solemn promise to protect our coast.”

In November of last year the Trudeau Liberals promised to implement a moratorium on tankers for B.C.’s North Coast, the Prime Minister even included the commitment in his mandate letter to the Minister of Transport. But over the last year Liberals have met with Enbridge seventy-seven times and recently federal officials have gone silent.

“This should be the Liberals’ final wake-up call,” said Cullen. 

“It’s time for this government to come through on their promise made to British Columbians. It’s time for a permanent crude oil tanker ban on BC’s North Coast.”