GreenJobsBC: New Campaign for Green Jobs Plan Gains Major Endorsements Ahead of B.C. Election

Major business executives, labour unions and environmental groups call on political parties to adopt a bold Green Jobs Plan for B.C.

VANCOUVER, BC (March 20, 2013) – GreenJobsBC has launched a campaign calling on the leaders of B.C.’s political parties to adopt a bold Green Jobs Plan that could employ tens of thousands of British Columbians, while taking significant action on climate change.

The call is being endorsed by more than 60 organizations and a growing number of leaders from BC’s business, labour and environmental sectors, including Julia Levy, co-founder and former CEO of QLT, a biotechnology company, and David Podmore, Chairman and CEO of Concert Properties.

“I’m a scientist and an entrepreneur, so I see both the threat and the opportunity that climate change poses for British Columbia,” said Julia Levy. “Political leadership and a bold Green Jobs Plan are critical if B.C. is to take on the challenge of climate change while greening our economy.”

“We built our company by making long-term investments in British Columbia,” said David Podmore, Chairman and CEO of Concert Properties. “Fighting and adapting to climate change, and safeguarding our industries and communities, require a similarly bold and long-term investment strategy. A Green Jobs Plan for B.C. is a good place to start.”

GreenJobsBC campaign co-chairs, BCGEU president Darryl Walker and Lisa Matthaus of Organizing for Change, a coalition of environmental groups, said they would brief the leaders of B.C.’s political parties, and that all parties will be invited to endorse the campaign.

“It’s not jobs versus the environment,” said the two in a joint statement. “Long-term jobs depend on a healthy environment. With the right policies, many of the traditional sectors that built this province have the potential to create thousands of green jobs that will make our communities thrive.”

The campaign focuses on policy opportunities in the forestry, energy, transportation and construction and retrofitting sectors. Residential housing retrofits alone could employ 14,000 to 30,000 people per year.

Organizations and individuals are invited to sign on to the campaign: www.greenjobsbc.org

Media Backgrounder: http://greenjobsbc.org/resources/

Contact Information:

Lisa Matthaus Provincial Lead Organizing for Change 250-888-5194

Oliver Rohlfs Communications Officer BCGEU 778-318-9164

Gitga'at First Nation: New Federal Oil Spill Regulations Won't Make A Difference

 

First Nation still experiencing oil slicks from sunken munitions ship

HARTLEY BAY, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwire - March 19, 2013) - Arnold Clifton, Chief Councillor of the Gitga'at First Nation, issued the following statement in response to newly announced federal oil spill regulations focused on aerial patrols of coastal waters, a new oil tanker safety panel and inspections. He questions how the federal government will respond to a major oil spill when it can't even get the smaller ones right:

"The first place they can fly over is our territory, where the Zalinski is still leaking oil. We counted three oil slicks yesterday, despite claims by the government that they've patched the wreckage."

The USAT Brigadier General M.G. Zalinski, a U.S. army transport ship, sank in 1946, inside the Grenville Channel, not far from the proposed tanker route for the Enbridge Gateway pipeline. It had 700 tonnes of "bunker c" fuel on board, and continues to leak.

"Regardless of these new regulations, an accident is still inevitable and the consequences of an oil spill would be a complete disaster for the Gitga'at First Nation - destroying our marine-based way of life, on which our culture is based."

"Yesterday's announcement suggests that the Harper government is intent on ramming this project through, despite the very serious concerns of First Nations, whose very culture and way of life is threatened by oil tankers, no matter how heavily regulated they are."

Gitga'at territory encompasses roughly 7,500 square kilometres of land and water, including a major portion of Douglas Channel, which is the proposed oil tanker route for the Enbridge Northern Gateway pipeline.

Map of Gitga'at territory (free for use by media):

http://andrewfrank.ca/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Gitgaat-Territory.jpg

Contact Information:

Gitga'at First Nation Andrew Frank Communications Officer 604-367-2112

Gitga’at First Nation: No Clear Consensus on LNG Among BC First Nations

Gitga’at First Nation needs much more information about proposed projects and their impacts before considering any support for LNG projects.

HARTLEY BAY, BRITISH COLUMBIA (March 4, 2013) - The Gitga’at First Nation says a recent conference on LNG, sponsored by the BC provincial government, has raised more questions than it has answered, and government officials, including Premier Clark, and proponents are getting ahead of themselves if they think there is a clear consensus on LNG among BC First Nations.

“There is a gold rush mentality around LNG in British Columbia right now that is raising more questions than it’s answering,” said Arnold Clifton, Chief Councillor of the Gitga’at First Nation. “Promoting development by granting export licenses and making supportive announcements before environmental assessments are completed and meaningful consultation with affected First Nations has taken place, only leaves these projects at risk.”

Clifton was reacting to announcements made at the conference by the BC and federal governments, including Premier Clark’s claim that “…First Nations are fully behind making sure that access [for LNG export] is granted.”

“While we do not necessarily oppose LNG development, we still have many serious unanswered questions about proposals to move large LNG tankers into our territorial waters, as well environmental concerns around the LNG plants themselves, including emissions of air pollutants and greenhouse gases,” said Clifton. “A great deal more information about these projects must be forthcoming before Gitga’at can give them any informed consideration.”

Gitga’at territory encompasses roughly 7,500 square kilometres of land and water, including a major portion of Douglas Channel, which is a key part of the route LNG tankers would have to travel to get to and from LNG terminals in Kitimat.

Map of Gitga’at territory (free use for media):

http://andrewfrank.ca/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Gitgaat-Territory.jpg 

“Consultation requires direct and meaningful engagement with First Nations with full information about the proposed project and its impacts. That has not yet happened for Gitga’at. To suggest that First Nations are now behind these projects completely ignores the Gitga’at and our concerns. Right now, the conditions for obtaining Gitga’at support are not met, and due process is at risk of slipping away, and with it, First Nations support,” said Clifton.

Contact Information:

Andrew Frank Communications Officer Gitga’at First Nation 604-367-2112

Media Round-Up: Opposition to Enbridge Grows as First Nations and Mayor of Vancouver Stand Together Against Oil Tankers and Pipelines

First nations leaders sign declaration banning pipelines, oil tankers in B.C. (with video) The Vancouver Sun  - ‎Dec. 14, 2012 The Save the Fraser Declaration, signed by 130 first nations and presented by National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations Shawn Atleo, reiterated growing opposition to construction of new pipelines in the province. The Northern Gateway project would ...

B.C. mayors join first nations in opposing Gateway The Globe and Mail  - ‎Dec. 14, 2012 Two British Columbia mayors, Gregor Robertson of Vancouver and Taylor Bachrach of Smithers, have added their support to a coalition of native communities opposed to the proposed Northern Gateway pipeline.

Pipeline proposal heading toward showdown over First Nations rights Ottawa Citizen - ‎Dec 13, 2012‎ It bans pipelines and tankers in the Fraser River watershed, as well as oil tankers in the ocean migration routes of Fraser River salmon. Petition organizers say signatory First Nations form an unbroken chain that spans the entire length of the province.

More native groups join opposition to pipelines 24 Hours Vancouver / QMI Agency  - ‎Dec. 13, 2012 Mayor Gregor Robertson proclaimed “Save the Fraser Declaration Day” in Vancouver on Thursday as three more First Nation groups added their signatures to the document that opposes any oilsands pipelines on their land.

Mayor stands with 136 First Nations in pipeline opposition MetroNews Canada - Dec. 13, 2012 First Nations leaders teamed up with Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson Thursday to commemorate the third anniversary of the signing of the Save the Fraser Declaration, banning any new oil pipelines or tankers from crossing B.C.. In a ceremony at the ...

Dec. 13 billed as 'Save the Fraser River Declaration Day' News1130 - ‎Dec 13, 2012‎ To make his stance official, Robertson announced today was Save the Fraser Declaration Day, which is an indigenous law put in place with the hopes of banning tar sands pipelines and tankers from crossing into BC waters. It has been signed by over 130 ...

Pipeline showdown Castanet.net - ‎Dec 13, 2012‎ The alliance would ban pipelines and tankers in the Fraser River watershed. It would also stop oil tankers in the ocean migration routes of Fraser River salmon all along coastal British Columbia. Petition organizers say signatory First Nations form an unbroken ...

'Wall of opposition' to tar sands pipelines in BC grows stronger rabble.ca - ‎Dec 14, 2012‎ The event was a celebration and a reaffirmation of the Save the Fraser Declaration, a historic statement of unity that prohibits tar sands exports across Indigenous lands. The Declaration, now signed by over 130 First Nations, "bans tar sands pipelines and ...

Vancouver proclaims Save the Fraser River Declaration Day Beacon News (blog) - ‎Dec 13, 2012‎ Vancouver mayor Gregor Robertson has proclaimed Save the Fraser River Declaration Day in the city, at the same time as a number of First Nations groups have signed the actual declaration by the same name. The Tahltan Central Council, the Tahltan Band ...

Media Round-Up: New Poll Shows 60% of British Columbians Oppose Enbridge Northern Gateway Pipeline Project

A new Forum Research poll, commissioned by the Gitga'at First Nation, shows a decisive and growing majority of British Columbians oppose the Enbridge Northern Gateway pipeline project (60% opposed, 31% in favour, 9% don't know). This, despite a multi-million dollar ad campaign by Enbridge to convince the public that the project is safe and will bring economic benefits to the province.

If that wasn't enough, the Vancouver Sun suggests that the advertising campaign may actually be doing the project more harm than good. Big news in BC yesterday and today, including a new report on Global News this morning:

Enbridge Pipeline Poll Story Global BC News Hour & Global BC Morning News - ‎Dec. 11 & 12, 2012 Political journalist, Keith Baldrey, reports that new Forum Research poll shows opposition to Enbridge pipeline growing to 60%; 68% among women.

Most in province oppose pipeline The Vancouver Sun  - ‎Dec. 12, 2012 Opposition to Enbridge's proposed $5.5-billion Northern Gateway pipeline continues to grow, according to a new independent poll that also shows the company's multimillion-dollar advertising campaign may be doing the project more harm than good.

B.C. Native leaders plan declaration banning pipelines, tankers and oilsands The Calgary Herald  - ‎Dec. 12, 2012 First nations leaders are expected to sign a declaration of indigenous law banning pipelines, tankers and oilsands in British Columbia at a Vancouver press conference tomorrow.

Residents still against pipeline: poll The Prince George Citizen  - ‎Dec. 11, 2012 British Columbians continue to oppose the proposed Northern Gateway pipeline by nearly a two-to-one margin, according to a poll released Tuesday.

Enbridge Pipeline Poll Story CBC Radio News Prince George  - ‎Dec. 11, 2012 Marissa Harvey reports on new Forum Research poll that shows opposition to Enbridge's Northern Gateway pipeline is growing.

Poll shows growing opposition to Northern Gateway pipeline Global BC  - ‎Dec. 12, 2012 Opposition to Enbridge's proposed $5.5-billion Northern Gateway pipeline continues to grow, according to a new independent poll that also shows the company's multimillion-dollar advertising campaign may be doing the project more harm than good.

B.C. opposition to Northern Gateway pipeline higher than ever: poll Metro News  - ‎Dec. 12, 2012 A new poll shows the Northern Gateway pipeline has never been less popular with British Columbians.

Opposition growing towards Northern Gateway pipeline News 1130  - ‎Dec. 12, 2012 All the publicity money can buy doesn't seem to be helping Enbridge sell you on the Northern Gateway pipeline...

More BCers oppose Gateway pipeline after map controversy, ad blitz: poll TheTyee.ca (blog) - ‎Dec. 11, 2012 A new poll suggests that 60 per cent of British Columbians now oppose the proposed Northern Gateway bitumen pipeline. And according to the results, controversy over Enbridge's tanker route map -- which omitted 1,000 square kilometres of islands in the ...

New poll shows 60 percent of British Columbians opposed to Enbridge Northern ... The Vancouver Observer - ‎Dec. 11, 2012 A Forum Research poll released today shows that 60 per cent of British Columbians are opposed to the Enbridge Northern Gateway Pipeline. The poll, the third by Forum Research conducted in 2012, shows that opposition to the pipeline has increased eight ...

Poll: 60 percent of BC residents oppose Northern Gateway pipeline CKNW News Talk 980 - Dec. 12, 2012 A new poll suggests British Columbians are more opposed to the Northern ... Enbridge might have spent millions on ads, including one that omitted a ... First Nation spokesperson Andrew Frank toldCKNW Tuesday evening.

Gitga'at commissioned poll shows 60 per cent of British Columbians oppose Enbridge Prince Rupert Northern View - Dec. 11, 2012 A new poll released Dec. 11 indicates opposition to the proposed Enbridge Northern Gateway project in the province is quite significant.

New Poll On Northern Gateway Project CKPG TV - Dec. 11, 2012 A new public opinion poll indicates a majority of British Columbians are opposed to the Northern Gateway Pipeline project. 60 per cent of those questioned by Forum Research stated opposition to the project, 31 per cent were in favour, with 9 per cent undecided.

New Poll Reveals Increased Opposition to Enbridge Pipeline Project (Web & Radio) HQPrinceGeorge.com - Dec. 11, 2012 Opposition to the Enbridge Northern Gateway pipeline project continues to grow. That according to a new Forum Research poll conducted Monday night and commissioned by the Gitga'at First Nation which shows 60% of British Columbians are opposed to the project.

British Columbians turn their back on Northern Gateway 660 News Calgary - ‎Dec. 12, 2012 A new poll shows a decisive and growing majority of British Columbians oppose the Enbridge Northern Gateway Pipeline Project. The poll shows 60 per cent are opposed to the project, 31 per cent are in favour while 9 per cent are undecided.

New Poll Shows 60% of British Columbians Oppose Enbridge Northern Gateway Pipeline Project

Enbridge ad campaign fails to sway public opinion; “Disappearing islands” story has worsened public views of the project VANCOUVER, BC (December 11, 2012) – A new Forum Research poll shows a decisive and growing majority of British Columbians oppose the Enbridge Northern Gateway pipeline project. 60% opposed, 31% in favour, 9% don’t know.

Conducted Dec. 10,^, 2012, the poll shows that opposition is up 8% since April and 14% since January when the last two Forum Research polls were conducted in the province.

Public opposition to the project appears to have grown, despite a multi-million dollar ad campaign by Enbridge. The poll, commissioned by the Gitga’at First Nation, shows that 83% of respondents who had seen advertising said it had no effect (46%), or had actually worsened their opinion of the project (37%).

“We did this poll because we find the Enbridge ads misleading,” said Arnold Clifton, Chief Councillor of the Gitga’at First Nation. “The proposed tanker route is in our territorial waters, so we know how treacherous they can be, and how risky this project is. We wanted to see if British Columbians felt the same way.”

Ad campaign

86% of British Columbians said they had seen some kind of advertising for Enbridge in the past six months (both positive and negative). Of these respondents, 46% said the advertising had no effect on their opinion of the project, 37% said it had worsened their opinion and 14% said it had improved their opinion.

“Disappearing Islands” Story

40% of British Columbians were aware that Enbridge has displayed a map of Douglas Channel, the oil tanker route, which removes many islands which critics say makes the channel appear safer to navigate than it is.

Of these respondents, 64% thought the map was misleading, 25% thought it wasn’t misleading and 11% don’t know.

58% said the map has made their opinion of the project worse, 9% said the map improved their opinion, and 32% said the map had no effect on their opinion.

“We don’t have the resources to fight Enbridge’s multi-million dollar advertising campaigns,” said Cam Hill, Gitga’at Councillor. “What we do have is the truth, and the truth is that a single oil spill in BC’s coastal waters could wipeout the traditional foods that feed our people. We live in one of the most beautiful and pristine places on earth, sharing our home with Spirit Bears, humpback whales and wild salmon. Why would we put that at risk? We don’t want dead water.”

To counteract Enbridge’s ad campaign, the Gitga’at are releasing video footage and photos from their traditional territory in the Great Bear Rainforest.

B-Roll: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5in8AmZuBY

Photos: http://www.thomaspeschak.com/great-bear-rainforest/

Gitga’at Map: http://andrewfrank.ca/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/Gitgaat-Map.jpg

The Gitga’at, who are best known for rescuing passengers from the BC Queen of the North ferry after it ran aground six years ago, rely on the ocean for more than 40% of their traditional diet, including halibut, crab, salmon, prawns, mussels, clams, seaweed, oysters and herring.

The nation is also developing an eco-tourism industry based on the health and diversity of local wildlife including the famous Spirit Bear.

Methodology

This poll was conducted December 10 among a randomly selected sample of 1051 British Columbians 18 years of age and older. The poll was conducted by Interactive Voice Response (IVR) and has a margin of error of about plus or minus 3%, 19 times out of 20.

Download Poll Results:

http://andrewfrank.ca/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/Forum-Research-BC-Pipelines-Poll-Dec-10-2012-Results.xlsx

Contact Information:

Marven Robinson Gitga’at First Nation Councillor 778-884-2561

Andrew Frank Communications Officer Home Office: 604-215-7875 Mobile: 604-367-2112 www.gitgaat.net

Media Advisory - First Nations and Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson To Make Pipeline & Tanker Announcement

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwire - Dec. 10, 2012) - Attention News Editors Media are invited to a press conference during which First Nations leaders will sign the Save the Fraser Declaration, an indigenous law banning tar sands pipelines and tankers from crossing BC, signed by over 100 First Nations.

Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson will also make an important announcement.

Who:

First Nations Leaders and members of the Yinka Dene Alliance

Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson

Smithers Mayor Taylor Bachrach

When: Thursday, December 13, 2012 at 9:00 a.m - press conference starts at 9:15 a.m. sharp.

Where: Hyatt Regency Hotel, Regency A, 655 Burrard Street, Vancouver, Coast Salish Territories.

Contact Information:

Yinka Dene Alliance Geraldine Thomas-Flurer 250-570-1482

Radio Interview: Are Progressives Insane?

I did a really fun radio interview this morning with Scott Thompson at AM900 CHML (Hamilton's News Talk Leader), to discuss a recent Troy Media column I wrote titled, "Are Progressives Insane?" The column ran in The Province and Hamilton Spectator newspapers, and has been generating some lively debate online.

The interview was about Canadian democracy, vote reform and cooperation among progressive political parties. Key message: The status quo isn't working.

You can listen to most of the interview here. Let me know what you think!

Media Round-Up: Gitga'at First Nation Raises Concerns Over BC's LNG Plans

A lot of people have raised concerns about the environmental impacts of natural gas production in BC, but very few have raised questions about the local environmental impacts of the export process itself, including liquefaction and tanker traffic. The Gitga'at First Nation is raising those concerns.

Current LNG proposals could bring upwards of 1000 tanker trips per year through Gitga'at traditional territory, and the LNG liquefaction plants themselves could bring significant air pollution to an already strained local airshed, as well as greenhouse gas emissions.

Gas plants a concern for natives The Province  - ‎Dec. 2, 2012 A small First Nation says it has been a challenge to keep up with the pace of proposed development along the north coast. Leaders of the Gitga'at First Nation of Hartley Bay expressed particular concern Friday over proposed liquid natural gas plants...

Kitimat band says B.C.'s LNG plan will increase greenhouse gases, tanker traffic The Province, Canada.com, Nanaimo Daily News, Brandon Sun and six others - ‎Nov. 30, 2012 "The Douglas Channel is our bread and butter," said Arnold Clifton, chief councillor of the community best known for rescuing passengers from the Queen of the North ferry after it ran aground six years ago...

Gitga'at First Nation Raises LNG Concerns - Air pollution among issues cited CFTK TV and CJFW - ‎Nov. 30, 2012 Another Northwest First Nation is raising concerns about LNG development on the North Coast. The Gitga'at First Nation at Hartley Bay says a new report by the David Suzuki Foundation has reinforced its view that plans to export liquefied natural gas through their traditional territories...

Gitga'at First Nation Worried About Potential Emission Impacts of LNG

The Gitga'at Nation has serious concerns about local air quality impacts and greenhouse gas emissions associated with LNG liquefaction and tanker traffic.

HARTLEY BAY, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwire - Nov. 30, 2012) - A new report by the David Suzuki Foundation, "The Cost of Exporting Liquid Natural Gas", has reinforced the views of the Gitga'at First Nation that plans to export LNG from the proposed Kitimat plants through the traditional territory of the Gitga'at could have human health impacts on local air sheds.

The nation also has serious concerns about greenhouse gas emissions associated with burning natural gas to generate electricity for the plants.

"Our community lives downstream from the proposed LNG plants," said Arnold Clifton, Chief Councillor of the Gitga'at First Nation. "The prevailing winds bring pollutants from Kitimat down the Douglas Channel into our territory. We are concerned that our people will suffer if these plants are allowed to burn natural gas to power the liquefaction process."

The report by the David Suzuki Foundation finds that the proposed LNG plants would require 14,500 GWh of electricity to operate, an amount that would require burning between 145 and 290 billion cubic feet of natural gas every year.

Natural gas combustion is associated with the production of particulate matter, nitrogen oxide (a contributor to acid rain) and carbon dioxide and methane - potent greenhouse gases. These emissions could worsen when combined with emissions from tankers waiting at port in Kitimat.

Current LNG proposals could bring upwards of 1000 tanker trips per year through Gitga'at traditional territory.

"Our nation needs time to study and consult on these potential environmental and human health impacts," said Clifton. "We are also concerned about climate change and how the BC government's promise to reduce greenhouse gas emissions will be affected by these projects."

"We're about conservation," said Councillor Cameron Hill, "and any climate change will have an impact on the ocean's temperature and marine life."

The David Suzuki Foundation report finds that LNG export will make BC's targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions all but impossible, and powering LNG plants using natural gas will add another 12% of GHG emissions to BC's current inventory.

Contact Information:

Andrew Frank Communications 604-367-2112 www.gitgaat.net