‘We will continue to fight’: Stand.earth dismayed by federal court decision on Trans Mountain Pipeline

Federal Court of Appeal dismisses court challenge by four First Nations against reapproval of the expansion project

Unceded Coast Salish Territories (VANCOUVER, BC) — Stand.earth is dismayed by today’s decision by the Federal Court of Appeal to dismiss the court challenge against the Trans Mountain Pipeline filed by four First Nations against the federal government’s reapproval of the expansion project in June 2019.

• Read the ruling: https://decisions.fca-caf.gc.ca/fca-caf/decisions/en/item/460815/index.do

After the court’s decision was announced, First Nations involved in the case said they would consider appealing the ruling to the Supreme Court of Canada. Stand.earth pledges its support to First Nations if that happens.

“Canada is broken. For too long, we’ve treated First Nations as second-class citizens. This federal court decision reinforces that colonialism is alive in Canada and that reconciliation is a lie. We stand with our Indigenous allies as they consider whether to appeal today’s disappointing ruling to the Supreme Court. As long as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tries to build the Trans Mountain Pipeline, we will continue to fight,” said Tzeporah Berman, International Program Director at Stand.earth.

Several conditions placed on the project by the National Energy Board remain unmet, including approval to drill under Burnaby Mountain to create a tunnel for the pipeline to run from the Burnaby Tank Farm to the Westridge Marine Terminal. Stand.earth outlined this and other construction hotspots in its September 2019 investigative report “Trans Mountain Pipeline: The truth about construction.”

Opposition to the Trans Mountain Pipeline remains strong, with a January 2020 poll showing national opposition to the project has risen sharply. 

Since 2018, more than 27,000 people have pledged to do “whatever it takes” to stop the Trans Mountain Pipeline. From March through August 2018, around 230 people with Protect the Inlet and other environmental groups were arrested for violating a court-ordered injunction while demonstrating against the pipeline. More than 30 people have served jail time after receiving sentences in BC Supreme Court.

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Media contacts: Sven Biggs, Climate & Energy Campaigner, Stand.earth sven@stand.earth, 778-882-8354
Tzeporah Berman is available for pre-scheduled interviews — please contact Sven Biggs.