BURNABY Mayor Mike Hurley said on Tuesday that he will continue fighting to stop the Trans Mountain Expansion Project despite federal government approval of the project because the project poses an unacceptably high risk to local residents.
“As Mayor, my job is to protect the people of Burnaby,” Hurley said. “This decision ignores the public safety and environmental threat to people whose lives and property will be at risk if the project goes forward.
“I am extremely disappointed – but not surprised – that the government of Canada has put oil industry profits ahead of the lives of Burnaby’s residents and our firefighters.
“Prime Minister Trudeau once said that governments grant permits but communities grant permission. On behalf of Burnaby Council, I can assure you that we do not grant permission.”
Opposition to Trans Mountain Expansion Project includes joining the BC government appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada. The City will apply for intervenor status in the Supreme Court hearing of the BC government’s appeal of a lower court ruling regarding the province’s ability to regulate increased bitumen shipments.
The Supreme Court ruling is expected to occur before the project can proceed.