Anger over pipeline

Photo: The Canadian Press

The federal cabinet's decision to approve Kinder Morgan Canada's Trans Mountain pipeline expansion has prompted a flood of outrage and promises of protests, court challenges and civil disobedience in British Columbia.

Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson said he was "profoundly disappointed," calling the decision a "big step backwards" for Canada's environment and economy.

The $6.8-billion project would triple the capacity of the Trans Mountain pipeline, from 300,000 to 890,000 barrels a day, and would add 980 kilometres of new pipe along the route from near Edmonton to Burnaby.

It would also increase the number of tankers leaving Vancouver-area waters seven-fold, from five to 34 per month, prompting fierce opposition from local mayors and First Nations who say any risk of a diluted-bitumen spill is unacceptable.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced the project would be approved with 157 conditions at a news conference Tuesday. He said he expects the decision to be "bitterly disputed" by a number of people across the country, but said the project is in Canada's best interests.

"If I thought this project was unsafe for the B.C. coast, I would reject it," he said.

Premier Christy Clark has insisted her government would not allow new pipeline construction unless five conditions were met, including a "world-leading" marine spill response regime. Earlier this month, Trudeau announced a $1.5-billion ocean-protection plan.

Clark was unavailable for comment Tuesday, but her Environment Minister Mary Polak said the province will continue to work to ensure each of its conditions are met.

North Vancouver's Tsleil-Waututh Nation and the City of Vancouver already have legal challenges before the courts. The actions were filed in May after the National Energy Board recommended the federal government approve the project.

Carleen Thomas, a member of the Tsleil-Waututh, spoke Tuesday night at a rally against the government's decision in Vancouver.

"They sold us out. They threw us under the bus. They threw us under the tank and this is not acceptable," she said.

Hundreds of people gathered for the rally, carrying signs with messages like "Stop Kinder Morgan" and "Leave Fossil Fuels in the Ground."