Canadians for the Great Bear send open letter to Premier Christy Clark

May 28, 2013
An Open Letter to the Honourable Christy Clark
Premier of British Columbia

 
Dear Premier:
Please accept our congratulations on forming the next BC Government.
We are writing to applaud your recent reaffirmation that Enbridge’s proposed Northern Gateway Project has failed to meet your government’s conditions for approval.
As you know, the Great Bear region of coastal British Columbia is one of the richest and most productive ecosystems on Earth. It is a rare source of exceptional natural wealth that supports tens of thousands of permanent jobs, and sustains families and communities throughout the region. It is also home to some of British Columbia’s most iconic wildlife, including recovering populations of endangered whales; our prized wild salmon and steelhead runs; and the unique Spirit Bear, our provincial mammal, which is found nowhere else on Earth.
It is, in short, an extraordinary place that merits an extraordinary standard of care from us all.
Your government, in partnership with First Nations, has long played an important role in establishing just such an extraordinary standard of stewardship in this region. The Great Bear is recognized around the world as a model of sustainable development that meshes environmental conservation, economic prosperity, community health, and the recognition of Aboriginal rights and title.
As Canadians for the Great Bear we have stated our support for this model, and our commitment to the vision of lasting prosperity this region represents. We are confident that we echo the views of a clear majority of British Columbians when we hold that the economic and environmental risks presented by this proposed project far outweigh any possible benefit.
We firmly believe that the Great Bear is simply no place for oil pipelines or oil tankers.
Your strong position that the proposed Northern Gateway pipeline project cannot be approved by your government is an important step towards securing a healthy future for the Great Bear.
We urge you now to formalize this position in the Province’s closing statements to the Joint Review Panel. Be assured that we will stand with you as you take this message forward in the months ahead.
Sincerely,