Firm opposition by Canadian First Nation, Ecological Internet, and innumerable others delays the Northern Gateway tar sands pipelines through British Columbia temperate rainforests, threatening the native salmon economy, and onward to Asia.

By Ecological Internet,
Contact: Dr. Glen Barry,

Last week the Northern Gateway tar sands pipeline [] approval process - meant to transfer filthy tar sand oil from Alberta, Canada to Asia – was delayed one year until at least the end of 2013. The $5.5-billion, 1,200-kilometre double pipeline would transport up to 525,000 barrels per day of crude from Alberta’s environmentally devastating tar sands oilfields – traversing innumerable waterways, temperate rainforests, and sensitive coastal ecosystems – to ocean-going tankers for transport to Asia. The Enbridge Northern Gateway joint review panel announced the decision by email, noting “significant public interest in the Northern Gateway project.”

The pipelines would go through B.C.'s sensitive Pacific North Coast ecosystem, and threatens First Nations’ land and salmon economy. One mishap – such as project developer Enbridge’s recent broken pipeline fouling the Yellowstone River – will bring disastrous results and long-term loss of marine life, pristine waterways, and sensitive coastal ecosystems. First Nation opposition is strong and united, making clear the pipeline will never be allowed over their land, and with suggestions of massive civil disobedience if approved. The pipelines could not be constructed without breaking First Nation unity through financial inducements, or simply taking their land.