The Federal Court of Appeals of Canada rejected the government’s approval of the Kinder Morgan Trans Mountain Pipeline on August 30!
The reasons for this decision:
- The Canadian government failed to consider the impacts of marine vessel traffic on the Southern Resident Killer Whales and their environment, citing “the risk of significant, if not catastrophic, adverse environmental and socio-economic effects should a spill occur.” (No surprise for Safe Shippers!)
- The Canadian government failed in its constitutional duty to “engage in a considered, meaningful two-way dialogue” with First Nations affected by the project. (Power to the People!)
The Salish Sea protectors who, along with their legal teams, secured this victory for all of us:
- Tsleil-Waututh Nation
- City of Vancouver
- City of Burnaby
- The Squamish Nation
- Coldwater Indian Band
- The Stó:lō Collective
- Upper Nicola Band
- Stk’emlupsemc te Secwepemc of the Secwepemc Nation
- Raincoast Conservation Foundation
- Living Oceans Society
Because of today’s decision, pipeline construction is halted indefinitely — until (if) the approval’s failures are fixed. Tar Sands Alberta is throwing a fit and the Canadian government is blithely going ahead with its purchase of the pipeline from Kinder Morgan, so you can bet there will be more court battles ahead. The First Nations are committed to taking this all the way to Canada’s Supreme Court, if necessary — and we’ll continue to Warrior Up with them!
We have all been taking actions against this pipeline and for the Salish Sea since 2013! Thank you!
MORE INFO
- Federal Court of Appeal: Full Decision
- Federal Court of Appeal: Decision Summary
- CBC News: ‘We are winning’: Several B.C. First Nations celebrate Trans Mountain victory
- Canada’s National Observer: Court quashes Trudeau’s approval of Trans Mountain pipeline
- The Seattle Times: Canada court halts Pacific pipeline in blow to Trudeau
- Raincoast Conservation Foundation: ‘A critical win’ – Ecojustice, Living Oceans Society, Raincoast Conservation Foundation celebrate Trans Mountain ruling
- Raincoast Conservation Foundation: We’ve won our legal challenge and have stopped Trans Mountain
- RAVEN: We won! A resounding victory against Kinder Morgan
- Pull Together Campaign: It’s unbelievable, but we just won! Kinder Morgan is quashed!!!
- CBC News: Alberta pulling out of federal climate change plan until pipeline construction resumes
- The Seattle Times: Concern over endangered orcas blows up approval of Trans Mountain pipeline in Canada
- CBC News: How the killer whale became the Achilles heel of Trans Mountain pipeline approval
- Earth Justice: U.S. Tribes Applaud Court Decision Rejecting Trans Mountain Pipeline