The endorsement of Prince Rupert’s resolution calling for an end to coalbed methane exploration in the sacred headwaters at the annual Union of British Columbian Municipalities conference is a victory for the northwest, says North Coast MLA Gary Coons.
“Coalbed methane exploration shouldn’t occur in the sacred headwaters,” said Coons. “The fate of our three rivers and the fish and ecosystems that depend on them is much more important than returns for shareholders of Shell Canada.”
Liberal Premier Gordon Campbell has repeatedly defended exploration in the sacred headwaters against the wishes of the majority of people in the northwest, by claiming the fuel is needed in British Columbia.
“This isn’t about providing clean fuel for British Columbians,” said Coons. “Shell has huge investments in the tar sands and they want to use coalbed methane to extract crude in Alberta. People in the northwest are not interested in losing our rivers and everything that depends on them so that Alberta tar sands production can keep rolling.”
“I’m glad that UBCM delegates heard the “northern voice” and recognized that regions and communities deserve to have the final word about the sort of development that happens in their backyards,” said Coons. “People in the northwest are never going to swallow a poison pill like coalbed methane, which would give us a mess of environmental consequences without any substantial benefit for the people who live and work here.”
“Every person who has taken action to resist coalbed methane extraction should feel proud of the work they have done to protect our future and the future of our children.”