Canadians should rethink pipeline support

I am writing to express my concerns regarding the new West Coast Pipeline submitted to the Major Project Office by Alberta Premier Danielle Smith. I believe our community must take action.

Building this pipeline is a very bad idea. The planet is burning up as climate change is increasing temperatures and drying out forests. The cause of climate change is clear – it is related to the burning of fossil fuels. In addition, the use of oil is peaking and many nations, such as China, are becoming electrified quickly. Their demand for oil is likely to start dropping soon. It would take years to build the pipeline and we really do not know what the market will be like when it is done. The cost of the proposed pipeline will not be easily recouped as the market shrinks. Furthermore, the proposed route to Robert’s Bank is also a bad idea, both for the environment and for sea mammals such as whales and orcas in particular. Inevitably there will be oil spills and other environmental effects. In addition, there is strong opposition from First Nations and this is unlikely to be solved quickly, if ever. Finally, I want to point out that I am a native Albertan and have lived in Alberta for over 70 years and my father and grandfather were oil pioneers in Alberta so I certainly understand the importance of the oil industry in Alberta, but as the Premier has said “The world has changed.” But the important changes are not the ones she was thinking about.

Bryan Kolb, Lethbridge