Activists opposed to additional oil tankers sailing through B.C. waters held a slick protest at Vancouver’s English Bay Monday.
Ten shivering bathers, covered in brown molasses and sand, collapsed on the beach in a mock “die-in” to call attention to the dangers of tanker traffic in local waters.
“B.C.’s coast is a real jewel. An oil spill would devastate all forms of marine life,” said Ben West of the Wilderness Committee. “The protest is a fake thing to draw attention to a real concern.”
The Wilderness Committee is calling for a ban on all offshore tanker traffic – not only against ships that would be used on a proposed northern route, but against present traffic in the port of Vancouver as well.
West said a spill would hit home on English Bay, because million-gallon “supertankers” pass under the Lions Gate Bridge, a narrow, shallow passage filled with swift-flowing currents.
“A 30-second error could result in a tragedy. Thick and heavy bitumen is on those tankers. It would sink to the bottom and marine species would be feeding off it for decades to come,” he said.
West said an increase in tanker traffic into Vancouver harbour was permitted by the federal government three years ago without a public process.
“We are putting oil companies on notice that we will draw attention to this issue,” he said.
Oil company representatives, who support the northern route through Kitimat, say tankers have moved safely through B.C. waters for decades.
In a recent letter to Postmedia News, John Carruthers, president of the Enbridge Northern Gateway Pipeline Project, pledged a “model of world-class safety and environmental standards.”
Carruthers said the safety measures would include advanced radar, double hulls and enhanced navigation aids.
He said a northern route would bring jobs and economic development to other regions of Canada than just B.C.
But Rob Murdoch, who was enjoying a day at English Bay with his family, said he had doubts about how well authorities are prepared for an accident.
“I would like to know what measures are in place to deal with a major spill,” he said. “The companies always tell you nothing will go awry, and then there is a big spill like the one in the Gulf of Mexico.”
West said he realizes that a shipping ban would eliminate Vancouver refining jobs, but he said a dialogue is under way with labour leaders about moving to a green economy.
“Canada can be part of the new economy or part of the past,” he said.
On Sunday, Oct. 17, the No Tanks! anti-tanker group will hold a protest involving a flotilla of boats at Second Beach off Stanley Park in Vancouver.
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