If Justin Trudeau thought that by bailing out Kinder Morgan
and the Trans Mountain Pipeline Expansion project he would
curb the organizing effort against the pipeline, the month of June
proved him to be sorely mistaken. Many groups, including Climate
Convergence Metro Vancouver, redoubled their efforts with the
added danger of possibly being forced by the government to pay
billions for the unnecessary and dangerous pipeline project.
June 2 saw Climate Convergence organizers participate in two
simultaneous rallies ± one in Whistler and another on Burnaby
Mountain. Finance Minister Bill Morneau was expected to give
a press conference after a G-7 Finance Ministers meeting in Whistler
and local residents mobilized a noise demonstration at the same time.
Morneau rescheduled his press conference to be an hour earlier to avoid
the demonstration, but organizers set up outside of his expensive hotel
regardless and received a lot of media attention.
At the same time, another Protect the Inlet rally was occurring at the gates
of Kinder Morgan’s tank farm facility on Burnaby Mountain - challenging
an expanded court injunction meant to intimidate further organizing.
June 4 was a National Day of Action called by Leadnow in front of
Members of Parliament’s offices across Canada. Climate Convergence
organizers helped take the lead to set up a loud demonstration in front of
Defense Minister Harjit Sajjan’s constituency office. People of all ages and
backgrounds chanted, “Money for Education, Not for Bailouts! Money for
Housing, Not for Bailouts!” More than 100 other actions also happened
on only a few days notice.
Climate Convergence also hosted an Art Build on June 20 to begin
painting new banners and making new signs for upcoming actions. Finally,
on June 30 Climate Convergence participated in another Protect the Inlet
rally in front of the Kinder Morgan tank farm gates. This demonstration
involved multiple arrests when two waves of people blocked the gates as
police moved in. Despite the rain, the mood was defiant, and it is clear
that if Prime Minister Trudeau wants to build the pipeline, he will face
continued resistance.
Climate Convergence is organizing its own Day of Action on July 4, with
an Intersection Rally and Community Discussion happening the same
evening. The coalition will also continue to prioritize participating and
reinforcing all possible actions to stop the Trudeau Pipeline Bailout. For
more information visit: www.climateconvergence.ca
Follow Climate Convergence on Twitter: @climate604
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