Council of Canadian Chapters at the Westover Blockade - June 2013

This week conscientious, concerned citizens protested on-site at Enbridge's North Westover pump. Come join the protest, whether just for a few hours or for a few days.

Enbridge plans to reverse the flow of Line 9B, which runs from Montreal to Westover near Hamilton. Flow reversal could raise the risk of a spill into places like the Beverly Swamp in the headwaters of Spencer Creek, Hamilton's largest watershed.

Hamilton 350 said, in a press release, that protesters at the Westover terminal "look to be in it for the long haul"

Check out Saturday's program of 'Hamilton's Finest' for a discussion of Enbridge's contentious, reckless disregard for the National Energy Board's process.

To hear this past Saturday's program,
visit  http://cfmu.mcmaster.ca
Under the Saturday Column, click on, 'Hamilton's Finest'
To download Podcasts, see Past Shows. Click on:  22.06.2013

Check out Adam Carter's article (CBC Hamilton).

Political & Regulatory Channels to Oppose Enbridge's Line 9 Pipeline have been closed.

Imagine the Disruption & Inconvenience of a Tar Sands Oil spill in this Area

Enbridge's Line 9 pipeline crosses Highway Six. Thousands of folks travel this road daily. 

How many of us know there may be toxic diluted bitumen beneath it?

It seems that Enbridge may soon get its way if it is permitted to reverse the old pipeline, Line 9, to carry heavy crude from Sarnia to Montreal, through the Westover Terminal in Hamilton.

It might seem a bit drastic to block a road to make a point about Line 9 reversal. This inconvenience today is a mild disruption. Imagine the inconvenience and risks of a tar sands oil spill. Those risks materialized in 2010 when Enbridge's Line 6, substantially similar to Line 9, ruptured in Kalamazoo, Michigan leading to the permanent evacuation of 100 homes and leaving an uncleanable mess in the River. Consider the recent diluted bitumen spill in Mayflower, Arkansas. 

The Conservative government is fully backing the Line 9 reversal. They exempted it from an Environmental Assessment in the omnibus budget bill. The only regulatory body overseeing this is the National Energy Board. 

The extremist Conservative government has taken drastic steps to stop people from asking questions, discussing or opposing Enbridge's Line 9. This is totally unacceptable. 

This morning commuters were met with a civil, friendly & informed group of protestors. Commuters were offered muffins, and provided information about Enbridge's Line 9 reversal project. Some commuters were informed already, others were sympathetic. The fact that some members of the public already have knowledge of Enbridge's plans with Line 9 is a good sign that shows not everyone believes misrepresentations and outright lies from Enbridge. This is crude oil for export, not for Canadians. 

Not all travelers were informed or knowledgeable about the risks posed by diluted bitumen. 

Perhaps the sight of the Native Confederacy Flag helped condition some antagonistic feelings from OPP police officers. 

The Hamilton City Council and Hamilton Conservation Authority are opposed to having this project rammed through without consultation.

The National Energy Board offered only a two week window for people who want to so much as send a letter to fill out a 10 page application asking for permission to do so. The deadline passed last month, April 2013.

Thank you to Hamilton CBC's Adam Carter for following this story. 

For Mr. Carter's coverage of this morning's protest, visit:

http://www.cbc.ca/hamilton/news/story/2013/05/06/hamilton-enbridge-line-9-protest.html