Kinder Morgan’s Trans Mountain Pipeline Expansion project has always been strongly opposed by the people of the Tsleil-Waututh nation. The pipeline crossed through Tsleil-Waututh land and gave rise to fears of an oil spill in territorial waters. The Tsleil Waututh Nation has battled Kinder Morgan and the Canadian government on this issue from 2013 to the present day. This statement outlined their continued commitment to oppose the pipeline and defend their nationally recognized control over their territory.
“Today, we pause to recognize all that we have accomplished and endured along this journey. The risks that we assessed as too great now move from hypothetical to real risks to our community, our culture, and the lands, water, and air that we all rely on. These risks include the fact that oil spills are inevitable, they are impossible to fully clean up, and they will cause catastrophic ecological impacts in səlilwət (Burrard Inlet) and the Salish Sea. We have worked hard over the generations to restore the health of Burrard Inlet. The Trans Mountain pipeline threatens the incredible advancements we have made to bring the ecosystem back.”