Thousands protest Kinder Morgan pipeline expansion in Vancouver

Thousands march in Kinder Morgan protest First Nations leaders, MPs and Mayor Gregory Robertson were among the thousands that took part in the Kinder Morgan pipeline protest.

Thousands took to the streets of Vancouver Saturday to protest Kinder Morgan's Trans Mountain pipeline expansion.

The Mayor of Vancouver, First Nations leaders, Members of Parliament, and environmental activists were among those that marched from Vancouver City Hall, across the Cambie Bridge, and to Library Square.

“Thank you for making this the most important meeting we’ve had at City Hall in our history,” Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson said to the massive crowd at the start of the protest.

“We’re going to walk the talk today from here to downtown, to send a clear message to our prime minister, his cabinet, and members of parliament to say no to Kinder Morgan’s pipeline and oil tankers.”

Signs reading “No consent, no pipeline,” “Defend the coast,” and “Stop Trudeau’s pipeline” abounded. The Cambie Street bridge was covered in a red banner simply reading, “No Kinder Morgan”, while kayakers with signs dotted the waters below.

The controversial $6.8-billion project would link Alberta’s oil sands with Metro Vancouver’s harbour.

Activists say the project will have consequences for the land title and rights of First Nations communities, increase tanker traffic and risk for environmental disasters on B.C.'s coast, and worsen Canada's impact on climate change.

“The evidence Kinder Morgan put forward is not worth the paper it was written on. It was never tested and there was no cross-examination,” said Elizabeth May, leader of the Green Party and MP for Saanich-Gulf Islands.

“The message to Justin Trudeau is clear from British Columbians: this is a line in the sands, you do not cross this and think you'll ever elect a Liberal MP in British Columbia ever again.”

In a statement, Kinder Morgan writes it respects the right of peaceful protest, but its engagement with the communities over five years has made their project “stronger and safer.”

“Metro Vancouver has voted against it, the Lower Mainland and local governments have voted against this, the city of Vancouver has been adamant – no has to be the decision. It’s not worth the risk,” said Vancouver City Councillor Adriane Carr.

“The point is to flood the prime minister and cabinet with message with phone calls, with emails that say do not say yes.”

Trudeau has promised a pipeline decision by Dec. 19 – and protestors promise their demonstrations will only grow bigger.

“We’ve been strong, solid and fierce about our opposition to this pipeline proposal and seven-times increase in oil tankers in our waters,” said Robertson.

“We need to stand strong in the days ahead… We hope and we expect and we pray that our prime minister and his cabinet are going to do the right thing.”

With files from St. John Alexander