[All] Fw: waterloo region line 9 coalition

Tue Sep 3 11:27:42 EDT 2013

Hi folks

I can't make it to Thursday Night's meeting since I work but I want to share this info with members of GREN. If this issue can be addressed at the next meeting I'd appreciate it. 

First off...

Meeting Notice for those who Oppose Enbridge Line 9
On Monday Sept.  9th, 7pm at the Alternatives Journal Office. This event is being organized by Dan Keller. His email is danielkellar at gmail.com 
To learn more about this group visit http://noline9wr.ca

I provided the following info to Dan on Monday Sept. 3rd and I wanted to share this with GREN as well to provide an update on the matter and ways we can help stop the risks. 

Technically, the Region of Waterloo had their chance to speak up about Line 9 reversal and they did not oppose it at the NEB hearings.  The Line 9 reversal through Waterloo Region was fully approved already last September and construction is already under way.  As a delegate at the Enbridge Line 9 A hearings I was disappointed at the lack of voice from the Region and the GRCA but politically was somewhat understandable. 

Currently Enbridge is a major sponsor of the GRCA, the United Way, Enbridge Ride to Conquor Cancer. They supported projects in Guelph to plant 250 trees at Starkey Hills. Neither the GRCA nor the Region have any fiscal incentive go speak out against a sponsor with that sort of economic or social influence. The stance by local government is to not bite the hand that feeds them. If they lose that sponsorship support it results in increased taxes to make up for lost revenues and it would turn influential chairmen of these charities against them.  Our politicians are afraid of loosing money and voter support if they speak out against Enbridge directly, however there are things we CAN do. 

We can create DELAY by way of establishing a Provincial review process. By securing this it would hurt Enbridge's profits right away and it buys us precious time to build further local support to stop the pipe. Delay is one of the strongest tools we have to make this less profitable a venture. 

Another way to stop the pipe is to BUMP UP SAFETY. Again, more safety measures makes the venture less cost effective. If the profit margin isn't worth it, they won't build it. Remember, Harper abolished the Navigable Water's Act protection to make it cheaper for these folks to build the pipe because these agencies are already FISCALLY challenged. If we push to have the safety measures placed back in, it may be enough of an economic cost to kill these ventures entirely. 

View the attached petition that I crafted, calling for a provincial review of Line 9. It's asking for a provincial review. Paisley from Stop the Tar Sands KW used this petition at one of her previous rallies.  Feel free to use or circulate it and once filled, deliver to the office of Waterloo MPP Catherine Fife: Local NDP minister who is SYMPATHETIC to the need to protect our area's water resources. (She is a former member of Citizens for the Protection of the Waterloo Moraine)

I will also include for you a RESOLUTION BY HALTON regarding Line 9. This data was provided to the GRCA at a meeting in July and it calls for the manditory installation of shut off valves along tributaries.  We need the  public to contact City and Regional council members to ask them to support this same resolution. If we can do that, it's a major step forward to help prevent the risks associated with Enbridge Line 9.  

I propose that GREN creates a formal document to request the endorsement of Halton's Line 9 Resolution to be adopted by City of Waterloo, City of Kitchener, City of Cambridge and Waterloo Region. 

Thanks folks.

Lulu :0)
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