The Green Green Party Candidate in Nipissing, Nicole Peltier says the Energy East proposal is too much risk, too little reward for the people of North Bay.
TransCanada Corporation is seeking to repurpose an existing 55-year old natural gas pipeline to carry 1.1 million barrels a day of diluted bitumen, over 27km of the Trout Lake watershed.
Peltier says this present a risk to the safety of the drinking water supply for 50,000 people in North Bay.
The City of North Bay has announced its intention to seek intervener status at the National Energy Board hearings on the Energy East Proposal.
"The Green Party of Ontario shares the many concerns that have been raised with the Energy East Proposal," states Peltier in a news release.
"The oil-transporting pipeline will cross a fault line, several Class 1-4 rivers draining into Trout Lake and 27 km of watershed. TransCanada has experienced numerous pipeline ruptures on the existing pipeline, including 2 explosions within North Bay City Limits."
"TransCanada’s own Vice-President John Van Der Putt stated to North Bay City Council that the project will create no more than 12 permanent full-time jobs for Nipissing. This less than 0.03% of total employment, and far less than many small businesses in the area employ," Peltier adds.
"If oil enters the Trout Lake watershed, the District of Nipissing will suffer grave economic and health consequences far beyond any potential economic benefits, including damage to our tourism sector."
Peltier says the pipeline project exposes citizens and communities to significant risks and threatens much of the pristine wilderness, without providing any long-term economic benefits.
As the Green Party Candidate for Nipissing, Peltier is issuing a challenge to the other candidates to clarify their positions on the Energy East project.
"Nipissing’s citizens have raised many legitimate concerns with this proposal, and deserve to hear the positions of those who seek to represent them at Queen’s Park."
