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by Jim Fulton
![]() Background
to Offshore drilling in BC
Dates for public hearings
Will oil rigs soon eclipse the breathtaking
scenery of Canada’s West Coast? If the provincial government
has its way, they could.
The province is pushing hard to lift provincial and federal moratoria
on offshore oil and gas drilling that have protected this area for
32 years, even though First Nations, residents, and the general
public have demonstrated serious concern that drilling will lead
to environmental degradation, including the possibility of an oil
spill. Even the oil and gas industry itself, which has the most
to gain from development, has called BC offshore drilling a “low
priority,” both because of its high cost and significant public
opposition. With residents, workers, and oil and gas developers
turning their backs on drilling, the question must be asked: “Why
is our government pushing so hard?”
The provincial oil and gas “SWAT team” as it has been
called, has been out in full force, giving its sales pitch of rapid
offshore oil and gas development and rich benefits to BC. Many,
however, argue that the provincial government is selling false hope,
distracting communities from real, near-term opportunities and putting
sustainable industries like fishing and forestry at risk –
industries that could actually benefit our communities for generations.
A recent address entitled BC Uncharted Waters by Senator Pat Carney
was perhaps the most eloquent. She noted that in their haste, the
provincial government was creating such unrealistic expectations
that they were more likely to run the ship aground than bring it
safely into port. She added, “I suggest we spill a little
wind out of our sails, slow down and review our sail plan. The time
frame suggested by (BC Energy and Mines) Minister Neufeld is likely
to create a storm of controversy, some valid and some not. At this
point we don’t have the information to make a judgment.”
Many British Columbians are resistant to the rush to oil and gas
for several reasons. Karen Campbell of West Coast Environmental
Law has provided some insightful comments surrounding the recent
federal science review: “The Royal Society Science Panel was
asked to tell us if there are any science gaps that need to be addressed
before the moratorium could be lifted. Their conclusion was, regime
is put in place, there are no science gaps that need to be filled
before lifting the moratoria on oil and gas development.”
The plain language translation: “There are science gaps, but
we think regulation can take care of it.”
“So, the government is asking the public to trust what the scientists
say about the lifting the moratoria, yet the scientists are telling
the public that we should trust the government,” Campbell
concluded.
For the public, this type of situation creates only distrust and
confusion, and rightfully so. What is known is that seismic testing
to determine the size and location of oil deposits will damage the
ecosystem before drilling ever begins. This form of testing shoots
high-pressure air at the seabed - pressure that is known to damage
marine life, including fish, their eggs and larvae, and whales.
It is also a fact that the West Coast is home to some of the most
highly sensitive coastal habitat in the world. For example, over
two million seabirds live and breed on the Scott Islands, off the
northern tip of Vancouver Island. Three species, including the tufted
puffin, have globally significant populations in this small, protected
area. An oil spill, or even the daily ongoing release of pollution
into the ocean that is a by-product of drilling, would put these
creatures at risk.
The assertion that BC “would use current best practices from
other areas of the world” is also hard to justify. Canada
is a laggard rather than a leader when it comes to addressing environmental
issues. A recent study conducted by the Organization for Economic
Co-operation and Development ranked Canada as 28th out of 29 industrialized
nations on environmental performance and policies. These findings
are also supported by studies from the Conference Board of Canada
and the World Economic Forum.
Here in BC, we are in a period of deregulation, and the government
track record for protection is far from good. In this past year
alone, a government audit of the oil and gas industry in northeastern
BC found that of 160 sites, 35 had major environmental violations
(mainly related to fish-bearing streams), and 16 had minor ones.
On top of all the reasons to be suspicious of the alleged benefits
from oil and gas, the Canadian Gas Potential Committee has stated,
“The Geological Survey of Canada has “systematically
overestimated” BC’s off-shore reserves and have acknowledged
“that there is a high level of risk that little or no gas
may be found.” One thing for certain is that any jobs or benefits
are far off, if they ever materialize at all. BC’s coastal
communities need jobs now, and the prospect of future jobs does
little to solve their problems.
The federal moratorium is currently the only effective mechanism
that guarantees protection of BC’s coastal environment, existing
economies such as fishing and tourism, and Canada’s natural
heritage. The province should be asking the big questions about
whether oil and gas development should happen at all. Is it economic?
What are the environmental consequences? Is it a prudent use of
natural resources? Is it in the public’s best interest? The
BC provincial government has set a date for near-shore oil and gas
production for 2010 - claiming that the torch of the 2010 Olympics
will be lit with gas from the BC coast. This claim is grossly unrealistic.
Many industry experts suggest 10 to12 years, and the Royal Society
of Canada science panel states, “It is likely to take about
15 years to move through the stages of activity prior to first production.”
The provincial government is trying to sell a dream to buy political
points. This only creates false hope for coastal communities and
distracts them from more promising opportunities for long-term jobs
and benefits without jeopardizing existing economies and one of
Canada’s natural treasures.
Jim Fulton is executive director of the David Suzuki Foundation,
www.davidsuzuki.org
The future of our coast is about to be decided. Right now, federal
and provincial governments are considering lifting a moratorium
that has protected BC’s coastline from oil drilling for three
decades. It’s a decision that could change the face of the
province forever.
The Geological Survey of Canada estimates that the amount of oil
and gas along the coast of BC would supply the North American market
with two months of oil and a half a year of natural gas. Why threaten
this highly sensitive coastal habitat upon which our current livelihoods
and industries already depend, for such meager resources?
A recent US government environmental report on offshore oil and
gas development in Alaska’s Cook Inlet concluded that proposed
developments similar to those being discussed for BC will result
in 483 oil spills over the next several decades and a one-in-five
chance of a major oil spill.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
ABOUT THE BC MORATORIUM ON OFFSHORE OIL AND GAS ACTIVITIES
This is your chance to voice your opinion on this issue and protect
the coast for future generations. Attend the public hearings in
your local community and voice your opinion:
Bella Coola, Lobelco Hall
May 5, 7 – 9 pm
May 6, 9 am – noon 2 – 5 pm
Alert Bay Community Hall
May 7, 2 – 5pm 7 –9 pm
Port Hardy, Civic Centre
May 10, 9 am – noon, 2 – 5 pm, 7 – 9 pm
May 11, 9 am – noon
Vancouver, Sheraton Wall Centre
May 11, 7 – 9 pm
May 12, 9 am – noon, 2 – 5 pm, 7 – 9 pm
May 13, 9 am – noon
Victoria, Coast Harbourside Hotel
May 13, 7 – 9.pm
May 14, 9 am – noon, 2 – 5 pm, 7 – 9 pm
May 15, 9 am – noon
Vancouver, Sutton Place Hotel
May 17 & 18, 9 am – 9 pm
Also, submit your views in writing before May 15, 2004 to:
Scott J. Gedak – project manager,
Public Review of the BC Offshore Oil & Gas Moratorium,
Suite 580,
800 Burrard St. Vancouver,
B.C. V6Z 2V8
Fax: 604.666.3755
E-mail: sgedak@nrcan.gc.ca
Jim Fulton is executive director of the David Suzuki Foundation,
www.davidsuzuki.org
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