Barriffe Challenges Fellow Candidates on Pipelines

NORTH ETOBICOKE, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - June 5, 2014) - Nigel Barriffe, Ontario New Democratic candidate for Etobicoke North, issued a challenge to his fellow candidates asking each of them to join him in calling for a provincial environmental assessment of the Enbridge Line 9 pipeline. Line 9 runs right through North Etobicoke and across the province and GTA. Of the ridings that Line 9 crosses, Etobicoke North is one of the most densely populated.

Currently Enbridge proposes that the Line 9 pipeline, which runs through over 60 parks in Toronto and next to countless backyards in our community, be reversed to carry diluted bitumen from Alberta.

In a statement Nigel Barriffe said: The Ontario NDP has called for a provincial environmental assessment for pipelines being built or re‐purposed in the province of Ontario.

This is an important issue for health and safety in North Etobicoke. The Line 9 pipeline runs right through the heart of Etobicoke North, through the Rexlington, West Humber, and Summerlea parks where our children play, right through the Humber River and past the backyards of many residents.

It is integral that a proper environmental assessment is undertaken. This is a priority that should cross all party lines and that has been called by ONDP MPP Jonah Schein, ONDP candidate in Guelph James Gordon, among other NDP MPPs. Kathleen Wynne has refused to take action on this issue. I ask fellow candidates Shafiq Qaadri, Tony Milone and Kennith Robertson to support the call for an environmental assessment of the Enbridge Line 9 pipeline that runs through our riding. This is the responsible approach for the needs of our community.

Enbridge pipelines have spilled across North America with serious impact. The 2010 spill from an Enbridge pipeline near Kalamazoo spill in Michigan cost over $1 billion to clean up and 4 years later the company has not completed the clean-up. The type of oil that may be piped through Line 9 is dangerous and much more toxic than conventional oil. It is particularly risky because the section of the pipeline running through Toronto is 38 years old. At the National Energy Board hearings, an engineer with extensive experience estimated that there was a 90% possibility of a spill within the early years of its use to carry diluted bitumen.

Although the National Energy Board approved the pipeline, many felt it was a hasty process without sufficient opportunities for public education and input. The municipalities of Toronto, Kingston, and all of the municipalities in the Durham region have called for an environmental assessment, as well as over 10,000 people in Ontario through online petitions. An Ontario environmental assessment would allow our residents time to look at the implications of this proposal for their neighborhoods.

Nigel Barriffe is a school teacher in Etobicoke North where he was raised. He is the recipient of awards for his community development work and is active on several boards related to good jobs, public education and the environment.