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Hon. Marc Garneau
Minister of Transport
330 Sparks Street
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0N5
Dear Minister Garneau,
Please accept this letter on behalf of the XXXX Chamber of Commerce as our formal opposition to the Federal Government’s proposed tanker moratorium on BC’s North Coast. We are disappointed and alarmed that this short and hushed consultation process is all that the government has offered the public on this matter and believe that the consultation has been shielded from many Canadians.
This process has come at a time when the Federal Government has publically staked a claim on its commitment to inclusively consult Canadians on issues of national importance. A moratorium on tanker traffic is indeed such an issue. However, we will oblige and answer Transport Canada’s two questions.
The first question asks what we think are the most important issues to be addressed by the government’s commitment to formalize a tanker moratorium. The most important issue in the immediate term is the economic loss our communities will suffer if Canadian energy products lose critical access to the coast and Asian markets. This will mean that projects like Northern Gateway will not be built, and a resulting loss of 3,000 construction jobs for skilled Alberta tradespeople and workers during Northern Gateway’s three construction phases, $1.5 billion spent in Alberta communities during construction and 380 long-term operational positions – jobs Albertans and their families need, now.
In the long term, imposing a moratorium in this manner weakens thecollaboration and national processes Canadians have depended on to build our nation and prosper. Formalizing a tanker moratorium without providing legitimate stakeholders opportunity to voice their perspectives runs cross-purpose to the quality of dialogue and evidence based decision making Canadians will surely depend on to flourish in the 21st Century. We can and need to do better to build the public’s confidencein our consultation processes, and the federal government has the foremost role in leading the way.
The second question asks what approach could best ensure that the environment is protected while economic impacts on communities are minimized. Our answer is simple. Projects like Northern Gateway will actually help the Federal Government ensure that the BC coast is protected for alloperators in the area by improving the current capacity to prevent incidents through land-based radar as well as navigational aids and approach channels. Banning oil tankers is not the answer considering there are several hundred vessels of all types, not to mention numerous U.S. oil tankers, that will still be passing close to our vital waterways and traversing our northwest coast every year carrying hazardous products.
Canadians and Canadian companies are world leaders in developing technologies and safety regimes that enable responsible development and transport of natural resources. Instead of stepping back from this leadership, continuing to pioneerour expertise provides opportunity for Canadians to promote and model development that balances economic andecological prosperity.
Canada has an interconnected economy, as such the perspectives of communities across the nation are relevant to this proposal and should duly be taken into consideration – Canada’s coastline defines us all. We are asking that the Government of Canada go back and take the time to properly consult with ALL Canadians on this matter of national importance before developing a costal transportation framework.
Respectfully,
cc:
local MLA
local MP
Hon. Margaret McCuaig-Boyd, Minister of Energy
Hon. Premier Rachel Notley
Hon. James Carr, Minister of Natural Resources
Hon. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau