David Suzuki Foundation urges federal government to reject Alberta’s West Coast pipeline proposal amid climate resilience funding announcement.
VANCOUVER / UNCEDED xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (MUSQUEAM), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (SQUAMISH) AND səlilwətaɬ (TSLEIL-WAUTUTH) TERRITORIES — The federal government announced today that it plans to spend $34 million on projects to make Canadian communities more resilient to the effects of climate change, while simultaneously fast-tracking the West Coast oil pipeline that would worsen the climate crisis.
In response to the announcement, Thomas Green, senior manager climate solutions, David Suzuki Foundation, said:
“It’s good that this government recognizes the need to help communities cope with human-caused climate change brought on by burning fossil fuels. But while Ottawa hands cheques to communities fighting floods, extreme heat and wildfires that are destroying entire towns, it’s fast-tracking an oil pipeline expected to cost up to $43.7 billion, locking in decades more of fossil fuel production, exports and pollution abroad.
“The $34 million pales in comparison — just 0.08 percent of the pipeline’s total cost. It’s a bandage over a crisis the government is fuelling.
“The federal government is bankrolling the climate crisis while attempting to mop it up with a paper towel. If they want to make a real difference on climate, they’ll reject Alberta’s pipeline proposal outright.”
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For more information or interviews, please contact:
Rosie Rattray: rrattray@davidsuzuki.org, 604-732-4228, ext. 132