In February, ORCIE signed onto the West Coast Environmental Law (WCEL) statement, joining allied environmental and Indigenous rights organizations. The open statement— Civil Society Organizations Oppose Northwest Coast Oil Pipeline and Tankers— raises concerns about proposed oil pipeline and tanker expansion along the Northwest Coast, emphasizing the risks to marine ecosystems, Indigenous rights, and Canada’s climate commitments.It also highlights the need to strengthen industrial carbon pricing, while underscoring that improved pricing mechanisms cannot offset the additional pollution that would result from expanding oil and gas production. (Since ORCIE has endorsed it on behalf of its members, no further action or signatures are required from individual congregations.)
As a follow up to this work, ORCIE will continue closely tracking federal regulatory processes related to pipeline approvals. We will be contributing to the House of Commons Environment Committee’s study on Industrial Carbon Pricing, after receiving an invitation from multiple MPs.