File Photo (Image Credit: CFJC Today)
Trans Mountain

‘Let’s get this pipeline built’ : Kamloops mayor reacts to court ruling in Trans Mountain case

May 24, 2019 | 4:07 PM

KAMLOOPS — The mayor of Kamloops hopes today’s B.C. Court of Appeal ruling will bring the Trans Mountain Pipeline expansion one step closer to being built.

This morning (May 24), five judges ruled the province can’t restrict shipments within its borders.

It’s being called a victory for the federal and Alberta governments seeking to expand the pipeline.

Ken Christian says the ruling passes another legal hurdle.

He says the delay has caused an increase in rail cars transporting oil products.

Christian believes the pipeline is a safer and more efficient way to transport oil.

“Let’s get this pipeline built,” Christian said. “This is not a new route, this is an expansion of an existing line and while we fight about whether to do it or not, what is happening is rail traffic is getting more and more congested and that for the city of Kamloops is starting to effect our economy here.”

Meantime, a student protester is calling the Trans Mountain Pipeline a ‘waste of time and money’.

School District 73 students are protesting inaction on climate change.

Co-organizer Kate Nanson wants to see Canada rely on sustainable energy sources.

“People talk about it as it will create so many jobs and that’s fair enough I guess,” Nanson said. “But, so would committing to renewable energy because somebody’s going to have to work to put that all together and that’s creating jobs too in a way that will last for years and years rather than putting in a pipeline that, with the way the world is going, will soon I think be obsolete.”