Early this morning I went to Burnaby Mountain and spoke with protesters opposed to Kinder Morgan’s drilling activities in the Conservation area related to building a massive new crude oil pipeline through our community.
I spoke with local business owners, home owners, students and the RCMP. I also had the great honour of meeting Clarissa Antone a member of the Squamish First Nation and keeper of the sacred fire. A number of those to whom I spoke were arrested in yesterday’s protests.
I have visited the protest site many times over the past few months to understand the situation and offer support to protestors. The purpose of my visit today was again to support my constituents and to inform them of my Thursday November 20th statement in the House of Commons and Open Letter to Kinder Morgan President Ian Anderson challenging him to immediately cease his activities on Burnaby Mountain so as not to pit local police against local residents.
Today, I again ask Kinder Morgan President Ian Anderson to cease his activities, at least until a judge has decided whether or not to uphold the request by Mayor Derek Corrigan and the City of Burnaby that Kinder Morgan be ordered to stop their activities.
I will continue to visit protestors on Burnaby Mountain and continue to speak in the House of Commons on behalf of my constituents on this issue.
Kennedy Stewart,
Member of Parliament Burnaby-Douglas
Media Release
For immediate release
November 20, 2015
Burnaby MP Kennedy Stewart Calls on Kinder Morgan to Stop Work on Burnaby Mountain
(Burnaby) In a letter sent today, Burnaby-Douglas MP Kennedy Stewart, called on Kinder Morgan president Ian Anderson to cease activities on Burnaby Mountain.
In my view, despite the decision of the BC Supreme Court, Mr. Anderson is showing poor judgement and a disregard for Burnaby residents, Stewart commented. As people begin to be arrested on Burnaby Mountain, the company has not indicated they will rethink their plan to conduct intrusive tests in our public park.
Mr. Anderson must understand the level of anxiety and conflict his companys activities have provoked in Burnaby, commented Stewart. The people protesting on Burnaby Mountain are local, law abiding residents who have been pushed to their limit. They feel they have not been heard by the company or the National Energy Board.
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The letter to Mr. Anderson and Kennedys statement in the House of Commons here:
http://kennedystewart.ndp.ca/burnaby-mp-kennedy-stewart-calls-on-kinder-morgan-to-stop-work-on-burnaby-mountain