SAINT JOHN, May 30, 2015 /CNW/ - Hundreds gathered today in
the small rural community of Red Head, near Saint
John, New Brunswick, to draw a line on the shores of
the Bay of Fundy against the Energy East pipeline. While
New Brunswick is often considered the
centre of support for TransCanada's proposed
pipeline, the event brought together people from all
over the province, as well as Nova
Scotia, Quebec and
Maine, concerned about the
impacts of the 1.1 million barrel per day pipeline
project.
"We live directly below the proposed tank
farm, and I cannot help but think of the worst case scenario
with a fire or spill," said Joe Mahabee, a Red Head resident. "We know the way gravity
works. We are directly in the path and there is only one road out.
This project would destroy our peace and serenity."
The local volunteer-run Red Head
Anthony's Cove Preservation Association coordinated the
family-friendly event. The full day included a colourful
march featuring banners listing waterways at risk
from an Energy East spill, a smoke
ceremony, and a water declaration. Participants
linked arms to form a symbolic "line in the
sand" and listened to speeches and performances
from New Brunswick artists
including Jesse Cox.
The Energy East project would see a massive oil storage facility
housing 7.8 million barrels across the street from
homes in Red Head.
TransCanada would also partner with Irving on a new deep sea water
port capable of loading at least 115 large tankers a year,
exporting oil to places like the U.S., Europe and India.
Ron Tremblay, a member of the
Maliseet Grand Council and newly formed Peace and Friendship
Alliance said, "We, the members of the Alliance, recognize the
Nation-to-Nation Peace and Friendship Treaties as the basis of
our common ground, defining our responsibilities to the water and
to each other, down through the generations." The Alliance, which
presented a water declaration committing to restoring balance in
our relationship with water and opposing threats including the
Energy East pipeline, brings together non-governmental
organizations, residents and Indigenous peoples from New Brunswick, Nova
Scotia, and Maine.
The pipeline would further climate pollution and traverse over
300 waterways in New Brunswick
transporting diluted bitumen, which presents heightened risks
of sinking when spilled.
Read the full press release.
#EndOfTheLine #EnergyEast
SOURCE Council for Canadians