Media Release

Media Statement—September 19, 2013

For immediate release

Vancouver, BC: Andrew Weaver calls for moratorium on dilbit tanker traffic from Burnaby port.

The British Columbia government has rejected the proposed Northern Gateway pipeline due in part to inadequate preparedness for potential marine and land heavy oil spills, while ignoring the fact that the heavy oil, diluted bitumen (dilbit), is shipped weekly from Burnaby, posing serious risks to BC’s coast.

“I am calling on Premier Clark and the BC government to be consistent in their approach to standing up for BC by placing a moratorium on all dilbit tanker traffic on our coast, including existing and proposed traffic from the Trans Mountain facility in Burnaby.”

The government has made it clear that any heavy oil pipelines and tanker traffic along the BC coast must meet 5 basic criteria, including world-leading marine and land oil spill response and recovery systems.

Meanwhile, documents from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans identified that: “Behaviour models specific to dilbit spills do not exist, and existing commercial models for conventional oil do not allow parameter specific modifications.” In short, should a spill occur, the research, data and evaluation of the effects of dilbit on land, fresh water and marine environments are simply not available, neither are the procedures, protocols, equipment and expertise that will be required to respond. A dilbit spill in Vancouver harbour would have profound and long-lasting consequences.

In its thorough submission to the Northern Gateway Joint Review Panel the British Columbia Government stated: “the Province is not able to support approval of the project, and submits that its concerns respecting NG’s ability to respond to a spill should be given serious consideration by the JRP”.

However, while the government has made a strong case against dilbit exports from the Northern Gateway pipeline, it has failed to address the very real threat that existing dilbit tanker traffic from the Trans Mountain facility in Burnaby already poses to the BC coast. Currently 5 tankers pass through the harbour each month carrying dilbit, a number that could increase dramatically to 34 with the proposed twinning of the Trans Mountain pipeline. If the proposal is successful, the Trans Mountain pipeline will transport 890,000 barrels a day, making it nearly double the capacity of the proposed Northern Gateway pipeline, which would transport 525,000 barrels a day.

In a press conference on September 4th, Elizabeth May MP (Saanich and Gulf islands) and Andrew Weaver MLA (Oak Bay – Gordon Head) presented information that the federal government is moving forward with a Kitimat region research program, while the BC government has said no to the Northern Gateway Project.

The Federal Government is moving forward over the next two years with a $100 million plus, ‘Complementary Measures Project’ (now called ‘World Class’) to research and model the complex waterways in the Kitimat and Hecate Straights region. In essence this is a federal government subsidy to the Northern Gateway Project, as they are unable to satisfy basic safety, environmental and regulatory requirements. In fact documents from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans identified that: “Behaviour models specific to dilbit spills do not exist, and existing commercial models for conventional oil do not allow parameter specific modifications.”

On the federal level contrary to what Stephen Harper has said about awaiting the evidence and panel results, the Government of Canada has been pushing ahead with spending over $100 million to support what should be industry based research. This comes at a time of major cuts to science funding for climate change, marine contaminants and ELA.

In its thorough submission to the Northern Gateway Joint Review Panel the British Columbia Government stated: “the Province is not able to support approval of the project, and submits that its concerns respecting NG’s ability to respond to a spill should be given serious consideration by the JRP”. Should a spill occur, the research, data and evaluation of the effects of diluted bitumen (dilbit) on both land, fresh water and marine environments are simply not available, neither are the procedures, protocols, equipment and expertise that will be required to respond.

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Media-Statement – media-release – Background Slides

Media Statement – August 14th 2013
For immediate release
Victoria BC – The announcement by Green Party leader Jane Sterk that she will be retiring at the Annual General Meeting August 24th is an opportunity to build on her legacy.

Andrew Weaver and Jane Sterk

In addition to seeing Jane Sterk step down as leader, the AGM will also see the election of several new members to the Provincial Council, including 3 Councillors at Large, a Secretary, a Treasurer and a Vice Chair.

According to the party bylaws, the incoming Provincial Council will be responsible for deciding who to appoint as interim leader and when to call for a leadership convention. The interim leader would not be eligible to run for party leader at the leadership convention.

Statement by Andrew Weaver – “ The Green Party under Jane Sterk’s leadership has grown and reached a number of notable milestones, especially in the recent provincial election. It is important that the party continues to build capacity, membership, and riding associations along with policy that reflects the values and aspirations of British Columbians. Leading this process is a full-time job that requires full-time commitment. I have an ambitious agenda for my term as MLA and achieving this requires focus and hard work. I consider it in the best interests of my constituents, the party and the province if, for now, I focus on my role as MLA and support a new interim leader who can concentrate on building the party. The next few years will see many challenges for the province, and possible opportunities for the party should byelections be held. I recognize that in the lead up to the 2017 election, should I decide to seek reelection, and if I am the only sitting Green Party MLA then it would be natural to seek leadership of the party at that time.”
Media Enquiries please contact:
Mat Wright – Press Secretary
mat.wright@leg.bc.ca
Mobile (1) 250 216 3382

Media Statement – August 13th 2013
For immediate release

Victoria BC: Today long-serving Green Party of British Columbia leader Jane Sterk announced she is stepping aside.

“I’m retiring from politics and resigning as Leader of the Green Party of BC after the AGM on August 24th. I’ve had a good run and now it’s up to the Party and new leadership to elect more MLAs in 2017. I don’t know what my future holds for me but I’m excited to go on to new adventures.” Jane Sterk

During her tenure as leader of the Green Party of BC, Jane Sterk worked hard to strengthen the internal party structure, build the party from the grassroots, and recruit quality candidates around the province to run for office under the party banner. Under her leadership, the party elected its first ever MLA in the 2013 provincial election with the election of renowned climate scientist Dr. Andrew Weaver in the riding of Oak Bay – Gordon Head.

According to the Green Party of BC bylaws, Jane Sterk’s resignation at the AGM will lead to the appointment of an interim Leader, while the Provincial Council determines the date for a leadership contest.

“Jane Sterk set an example of a new style of politics, one that is inclusive, far less divisive and which invigorated the party. We witnessed that in the campaign, especially during the debates; we saw that in how she built the party at the grassroots around the province. She created the template for the party to follow. I wish her well in the future, and thank her for her tireless years of work.” Andrew Weaver

Media Enquiries please contact:

Mat Wright – Press Secretary

mat.wright@leg.bc.ca
Mobile (1) 250 216 3382

Centre of the Universe Should Remain Open

The decision by the Federal Government to close the Centre of the Universe, the Dominion Astrophysical Observatory interpretive center, at the end of August, should be reversed.  The facility provides important education and public outreach, especially for schools and youth summer camps. We also note the  loss of five research scientist positions at the site involved with the National Research Council Herzberg Institute of Astrophysics.

“This is a hard loss for Greater Victoria, the province and all of Canada. There are few facilities that combine public education with active research, making science accessible and interesting, and providing a valuable resource to schools and teachers.” says Andrew Weaver.

The cost to maintain the public outreach and education program is estimated at $230 000 annually, compared to the National Research Council operating budget of $900 million.

“This is indicative of the Federal Government putting science funding way down the priority list when all of Canada needs both research, and public science education, to support evidence based policy. The NRC has been refocused to support industry, sidelining pure research and muzzling scientists from speaking. It is a continuation of the Federal government’s agenda against science education and outreach, a slow death of some of our most vital institutions.” says Weaver.

Andrew Weaver is calling on the BC Government, NDP, regional mayors and councilors to call for a reversal of the Centre of the Universe closure decision,  and to address their concerns directly to Gary Goodyear, federal minister of state for science and technology.