B.C.’s beautiful coast has long been a part of our community identity, an economic driver, and an international tourist destination. Ten of thousands of jobs rely on this space being clean and well protected.
As a Burnaby resident, I share in the community’s concern over another spill. Many will remember that in 2007, there was an oil spill in the Westridge neighbourhood that resulted in oil spraying 11 houses, and caused a large evacuation that forced 250 people from their homes. Oil was on the trees, the front lawns, and it all needed to be cleaned up. For those living in the area, it was devastating.
It’s events like these that pushed me to become more politically involved and advocate for the interests of people in my community. From the beginning, our New Democrat government has been clear that we will protect our coast, defend local jobs, and stand up for our environment.
Like many British Columbians, I was disappointed by the decision handed down from B.C. Court of Appeal in May. Our government has been very clear on this issue and we expected all along it would go to the Supreme Court of Canada. We believe we have the right and authority to regulate harmful substances in our province no matter how they got here. At the end of the day, it is our responsibility to defend our environment and economy.
What we know for sure is that the wrong approach would be to do nothing. There has been pressure put on British Columbians to accept the risks that come along with increasing the volume of bitumen in our province. I’m proud to be a part of a government that is choosing to do what is right over what is easiest. We believe British Columbians have a case to be made and will use every available tool to ensure that the case is heard.
I have been let down by BC Liberal’s “sit back and do nothing” attitude. They have let political ideology get in the way of doing what’s best for the people in our province. The Opposition Leader has called on the government to not challenge Bill 12, Alberta’s “turn off the taps” legislation. They’ve misled the public, spread misinformation, all to justify their blind support of a project that doesn’t represent the interests of British Columbians.
B.C. is a beautiful, prosperous province. Residents here deserve leaders who stand up for people, and the BC Liberals have proven they aren’t up for the job. If they had spoken to the people living in my community, to those living with risk of a leak, or to those whose jobs depend on our coast, they would know that their approach is out of touch, and threatens many families’ livelihoods.
We will continue to work with the government of Alberta and the federal government on a range of topics that are important to all of us. To do nothing, to say nothing, would leave people in this province vulnerable to a catastrophic spill. We are committed to delivering solutions that work for everyone.