End of Northern Gateway pipeline threat helps protect the wildlife of the Great Bear region, WWF-Canada says

But approval of Trans Mountain pipeline expansion pushes B.C.’s southern resident killer whale population closer to extinction

TORONTO, Nov. 29, 2016 — David Miller, president and CEO of WWF-Canada, made the following statement today.

“WWF-Canada welcomes Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s announcement today that Enbridge Inc.’s Northern Gateway pipeline project on B.C.’s Pacific north coast has been rejected. The Great Bear region is a unique interconnected ecosystem where river, sea and rainforest meet, and the project would have put the region at risk of a major oil spill. The impact of the increase in tanker traffic and risk of spills on sea, land and in freshwater would have been significant for the wildlife of the region, such as whales, bears and salmon. That’s one of the many reasons the project was opposed by tens of thousands of Canadians, including those whose lives and livelihoods are linked to the region.

“WWF-Canada is also pleased that the government is moving ahead with a legislated ban on crude oil tanker traffic on B.C.’s north coast in the spring of 2017. A permanent ban will make life safer for the species and people that call the Great Bear region home.

“We remain concerned, however, regarding the Kinder Morgan Trans Mountain pipeline expansion project approved today. The project will mean a significant increase in shipping traffic in the Salish Sea. For the 80 southern resident killer whales that call the area home, an increase in underwater shipping noise will prevent them from finding food and communicating with each other. Increased shipping noise will prevent the recovery of this endangered population of orcas, and push them further toward extinction.”

“In addition to today’s announcements for B.C.’s north coast, we encourage the government to make bold moves to accelerate the transition to a habitat-friendly renewable energy system. The WWF Living Planet Report released last month, which shows that the world is on track for a 67 per cent decline in species populations by 2020, identifies the urgent need to transition to a low-carbon energy system if we hope to limit warming to just 1.5C in order to safeguard the abundance of living things at home and around the world.”

About World Wildlife Fund Canada
WWF-Canada creates solutions to the environmental challenges that matter most for Canadians. We work in places that are unique and ecologically important, so that nature, wildlife and people thrive together. Because we are all wildlife. For more info visit wwf.ca

For further information
Catharine Tunnacliffe, communications specialist, [email protected], +1 647 268-9686