By Chad Klassen

Pro-pipeline rally attracts hundreds to Riverside Park ahead of May 31 decision

May 9, 2018 | 6:56 PM

KAMLOOPS — More than 100 pro-pipeline supports showed up to Riverside Park and waved their placards to express their desire for Kinder Morgan to go ahead with the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion. 

“It’s important because up until this point the only people whose voices were really being heard were the anti-industry, anti-prosperity, environmentalist people,” said the organizer of the Rally 4 Resources in Kamloops, James Robson. “I think real, hardworking Canadians are getting fed up and are coming out in numbers and making their voices heard.”

Among the speakers at the rally was TNRD board chair John Ranta, who made an impassioned speech about why the $7.4 billion twinning should be built. The regional district stands to benefit after signing an agreement with Kinder Morgan in 2015. It’s worth in the range of $845,000, plus annual taxes. 

“It creates jobs for people in small communities. We benefit through tax dollars because a utility running through your electoral area or community creates tax dollars, so we can afford to provide services for the people we represent. That’s why I’m here,” said Ranta, who’s also the mayor of Cache Creek. 

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Placards that read “Respect the Law of Law, We Need Pipelines,” “Want Cheaper Gas? Build The Pipeline,” as well as “Trans Mountain Has Operated Since 1953 Without Catastrophes” lined the area around the Riverside Park Bandshell. 

The attendees and organizers are frustrated that it’s been delayed, despite having been approved by the federal government. Kamloops Chamber of Commerce President Joshua Knaak told the crowd “this pipeline is approved, it is necessary, and it should be built.”

During his speech to the crowd, Knaak acknowledged the respectful nature of the rally and said people can be supportive of the major projects and the environment simultaneously. 

“I would challenge every person that’s here today to recognize that one can be in favour of the environment and also a strong support of a pipeline,” he said. “One can fill up their truck with gas and enjoy a nice glass of B.C. wine.”

Kamloops resident Dennis Geisbrecht attended and said the pro-pipeline movement needs to do a better job of promoting the country’s high environmental standards when it comes to pipelines and other major projects. 

“Canada’s world-class leading environmental rules. We’ve got the world’s best consultation with communities and Indigenous groups. We’ve got the world’s best labour standards. If it doesn’t come from Canada, the countries it’s coming from are not going to meet the same criteria we do,” noted Geisbrecht. “Our energy is ethical and it is far superior than anyone else on the planet.”

Simpcw First Nation councillor Don Matthew addressed the rally, speaking in favour of the expansion after his band officially revealed its pro stance last month. 

“We have one-third of the project in our territory,” said Matthew. “We hold a Kinder Morgan contract for maintenance. We do the work. We make sure that the work is done to our standards. Everyone’s been talking about the environment and that’s one of our big concerns.”

There were two anti-pipeline protestors, including Skeetchestn First Nations member Mike McKenzie, who remained relatively peaceful during the rally, only speaking out during portions of the speeches, including Matthew’s. 

“We are here to fight, so that our community does not have to deal with poverty anymore. We can provide education,” Matthew responded to McKenzie. 

Kinder Morgan, which stopped all “non-essential activity” related to pipeline expansion last month, will make a final decision on the project on May 31.