West Coast reacts to BC diluted bitumen reference case announcement

VANCOUVER, BC, Coast Salish Territories - Today, the BC government announced that it is initiating a reference case to confirm the scope of provincial authority to protect BC from the risks of a diluted bitumen spill.

West Coast has stated repeatedly that Canadian cooperative federalism recognizes overlapping jurisdiction, and therefore it is the right and responsibility of any provincial government to protect the health and safety of its residents. Because oil spills don’t recognize jurisdictions, prevention and response requires multiple levels of protection, especially when the science is so uncertain.

“The question is not about whether BC can regulate the transportation of diluted bitumen – it is clear that they can and they should. The reference case should provide clarity on exactly how far provincial regulation can go to protect BC from the threats of diluted bitumen,” said Eugene Kung, Staff Lawyer.

“Today’s announcement adds another legal barrier that could affect Kinder Morgan,” Kung said.

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For further comment, please contact:

Eugene Kung | Staff Lawyer
604-601-2514