FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 16, 2012
MP Joyce Murray Hosts Packed Town Hall on Concerns Over Northern Pipeline Project
VANCOUVER – Today over 230 people attended a Town Hall hosted by MP Joyce Murray in Vancouver Quadra to hear respected economist Robyn Allan provide her analysis of why exporting raw bitumen to Asia means exporting potential Canadian jobs in upgrading and refining, with negative consequences for Canada’s economy.
MP Joyce Murray told the packed Town Hall that “British Columbians shoulder an enormous environmental risk if crude oil is shipped by tanker through dangerous northern waterways. But the economic benefit to our province must also be considered – and these serious concerns with the integrity and accuracy of Enbridge’s business case must be aired.”
At MP Murray’s well-attended MP Breakfast Connections in April, Ms. Allan presented The Enbridge Northern Gateway Pipeline Proposal – Economic Benefit or Liability for Canada? As the former CEO of ICBC and senior economist of the BC Central Credit Union, she has analyzed the economic submission put forward by Enbridge and concluded that it simply does not hold up. Enbridge’s business case uses a skewed formula that results in inaccurate estimations, including grossly inflated numbers of construction jobs, and fails to account for the hike in domestic oil prices that will have a negative impact on Canadians and Canadian businesses.
“These deceptive numbers are being used to promote supposed economic benefits of the pipeline to Canadians and British Columbians, as justification for the immense environmental, social and cultural risks posed by the pipeline,” said speaker Robyn Allan.
“This Conservative government is weakening Canada’s Environmental Assessment Process and has publicly expressed its support for the Northern Gateway Project,” said MP Murray. “British Columbians should be concerned that the interests of the oil producers are being promoted, while community, First Nations, tourism and small business voices are being ignored by the government.”
To see the transcript and video of Robyn’s speech, please click here
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Contact:
Office of Joyce Murray, MP
Carla Breadon
604-916-7874
604-664-9220
