Advisory: New report to reveal major construction challenges for Trans Mountain Pipeline

Research uncovers dangerous construction hotspots, serious permitting delays that call into question federal government’s three-year timeline for project

Unceded Coast Salish Territory (VANCOUVER, BC) — On Wednesday, September 11, international environmental organization Stand.earth will release its latest investigative report titled “Trans Mountain Pipeline: The truth about construction” that reveals how the Canadian federal government faces bigger construction challenges than previously thought and calls into question the three-year construction timeline for the project.

The report details seven dangerous construction hotspots along the pipeline route, including drilling under the Fraser River and Burnaby Mountain, risks from tank farm expansions in Abbotsford and Burnaby, and threats to the safety of First Nations from man camps along the pipeline route. The report also reveals several serious permitting delays, including a new detailed route hearing process and ongoing opposition from First Nations and cities in Alberta and British Columbia that illustrate how there is still no approved route for the pipeline.

WHAT: Press conference announcing the release of Stand.earth’s new report, “Trans Mountain Pipeline: The truth about construction”

WHEN: Wednesday, September 11, 10 a.m. PST / 1 p.m. EST

WHERE: Spaces, 151 W Hastings St. Vancouver, B.C. 

CALL-IN DETAILS: Media who can’t attend in person can join by phone or computer and will have the opportunity to ask a question during the Q&A. Go online to https://zoom.us/j/123217071 or call +1 646 876 9923 (US) or +1 647 558 0588 Canada and enter Meeting ID: 123 217 071.

WATCH ONLINE: The press conference will be livestreamed at facebook.com/standearth. Reporters must join by phone or computer (see details above) to ask a question during the Q&A.

WHO: The following experts will speak on issues related to construction hotspots and permitting delays:

• Sven Biggs — As a Climate & Energy Campaigner for Stand.earth, Sven has spent the last eight years following the Trans Mountain Pipeline approval process and has witnessed the project’s consistent roadblocks and delays. 

• Beverly Manuel and Snutetkwe Manuel  — Both are members of Tiny House Warriors, an Indigenous-led group that is building 10 tiny houses to be placed strategically along the 518 kilometre pipeline route through Secwepemc Territories in Interior British Columbia. They are deeply concerned about the impacts that man camps will have on Indigenous women and girls in nearby communities.  

• Dr. Tim Takaro, PhD MD — Dr. Takaro is the Associate Dean for Research and a Professor of Health Sciences at Simon Fraser University. He is a physician-scientist trained in occupational and environmental medicine, public health and toxicology, at Yale, the University of North Carolina and University of Washington. Dr. Takaro prepared evidence on the health impacts of bitumen spills for the NEB review of the Trans Mountain Pipeline.

• John Vissers — Vissers is a long time resident of Abbotsford’s Sumas Mountain neighborhood and lived through a 2012 oil spill at Trans Mountain’s Sumas Tank Farm. He is the past chair of the Abbotsford Environmental Advisory Committee and currently serves on the Abbotsford Development Advisory Committee. Vissers is the recipient of the Order of Abbotsford and the Queen’s Jubilee Medal.

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Media contact: Sven Biggs, Climate & Energy Campaigner, sven@stand.earth, 778-882-8354