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e-186 (Environmental assessment and review)

E-petition
Initiated by Kyle Routledge from New Westminster, British Columbia

Original language of petition: English

Petition to the House of Commons

Whereas:
  • Coal dust is a known health hazard containing toxins such as lead, sulphur and mercury;
  • Coal has the highest carbon content of all fossil fuels and burning thermal coal is a major contributor of greenhouse gases;
  • Fraser Surrey Docks is proposing to expand US thermal exports from BC to ship up to eight million metric tonnes of US thermal coal;
  • Port authorities have failed to use the proper process in requiring comprehensive, independent health and environmental assessments, including climate impacts, with broad public consultations before considering new coal shipping projects; and
  • In following the principles of natural justice and democracy, concerned and affected communities must have a say and control over a matter of public health that could irreversibly affect their health and the quality of life of thousands of residents of Metro Vancouver.
We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to take prompt action and conduct urgent meetings with the Port Metro Vancouver Authority to require comprehensive, independent, health and environmental impact assessments before considering new coal shipping projects; implement a credible, inclusive, broad and open consultation process; acknowledge that assisting in the transport of thermal coal will undermine efforts to cut global greenhouse gas emissions and keep temperatures from rising above an additional 2°C, as per one of the goals identified in the Paris Agreement; and ensure British Columbians have a say and control over a matter of public health that could irreversibly affect their health and quality of life.
Government response tabled on April 3, 2017 (Sessional Paper No. 8545-421-118-02)
Open for signature
February 16, 2016, at 4:02 p.m. (EDT)
Closed for signature
June 15, 2016, at 4:02 p.m. (EDT)
Presented to the House of Commons
Peter Julian (New Westminster—Burnaby)
February 17, 2017 (Petition No. 421-01156)
Government response tabled
April 3, 2017
Photo - Peter Julian
New Westminster—Burnaby
New Democratic Party Caucus
British Columbia