Richmond MP Alice Wong restated that “science” must prevail on pipeline decisions.
At an event last Friday at Kwantlen Polytechnic University, the Richmond News asked for her thoughts on the jet fuel terminal and attached pipeline through Richmond, as proponents begin the permit process.
“I always believe the environmental assessment should come first and then we have to base on science to really make that decision,” said Wong.
However, a local environmentalist opposing the pipeline called Wong’s comments “hopeless” and that they underscore her lack of understanding of the issue.
In fact, it is the deterioration of Canada’s environmental assessments and the lack of adequate scientific inquiry that are the very problem, explained retired Department of Fisheries biologist Otto Langer.
Wong explained her position days after the City of Burnaby joined the side of grassroots group VAPOR to oppose the environmental assessment protocol of the B.C. Ministry of the Environment over the plan to unload jet fuel off the Fraser River’s shoreline.
On March 16, Burnaby issued a letter to Environment Minister Mary Polak to “bring to light the City of Burnaby’s dissatisfaction with the public consultation process.”
VAPOR, led by Langer, took the province to court in February because it claimed the public was not properly informed of the project.
The group also claims that the proponent, the Vancouver Airport Fuel Facility Corporation (a consortium of airlines) had not done a full assessment of the impact of jet fuel spills in the Fraser River, nor a fire risk assessment of a large explosion next to the Riverport Entertainment Complex and various condominiums, situated 500 metres away, before holding public meetings.
Langer also charges that there was no federal review panel for the project and Port Metro Vancouver, a quasi-federal agency, was granted authority to not recommend a follow-up program on the provincial environmental assessment.
It’s an inherent conflict of interest that the port is in charge of the environmental assessment for projects on its land, argues Langer, adding that DFO has been reduced to a consultant role due to legislative changes.
Meanwhile, Wong was in Richmond to announce $1.8 million in additional funding, spread over two years and between all Western provinces and the territories, to help streamline the integration of internationally educated health professionals. The funding announcement was issued by Health Canada and follows a recent $8 million for similar resources.
