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October 11th, 2019

TMX: Liberal Candidate Fought It, Trudeau Bought It

Days before Justin Trudeau bought the Trans Mountain pipeline in 2018, his future candidate in Vancouver East called out the Liberals for forging ahead with the project despite “the absence of sound science.”

Vancouver East Liberal Candidate and SFU Researcher Kyle Demes wrote:

“Our research found large gaps in scientific understanding of the toxicity of diluted bitumen products to marine species and how the products will behave in the ocean.”

“The gaps in knowledge, combined with incomplete risk assessment and insufficient baseline data, make it impossible to address the full suite of threats to ocean species and their habitats, or to assess the effectiveness of emergency actions, including spill response.”

“In the absence of sound science, government has a duty to delay construction, and err on the side of coastal protection and climate progress.” (The Narwhal, May 24, 2018).

Instead of listening to scientific advice from his future candidate, Trudeau bought the pipeline five days after the article was published.

Trudeau also plowed over objections from his own MPs and the B.C. government.

In 2014, Demes co-authored a study outlining significant scientific concerns, including the threat a spill poses to BC’s economy and human health. (Study)

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh:

“Justin Trudeau gave Canadians pretty words about the environment, but then he bought a $4.5 billion pipeline over the objections of the province of British Columbia, experts, and even his own MPs and candidates. We can’t afford four more years of Justin Trudeau’s empty promises. It’s time to make different choices that work for everyday people instead of just big oil and big corporations.”