September 25, 2012 – VICTORIA, BC – Critics of BC’s pipeline expansion projects will be disrupting a reception at the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) convention on Wednesday at 6pm at the Royal BC Museum. The action, put together by Victoria community organizations SocialCoast, Victoria Voice, and UVic’s Black Chalk Project, will take place at a reception hosted by the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP), an industry lobby group.
The organizers will roll out a red carpet and satirically welcome delegates to the CAPP reception. Outside of the CAPP event, there will be a space for delegates to interact with the public and discuss issues around future pipeline projects in BC. Live music, face painting, and a community photo booth will be arranged as a community-focused alternative to the reception that will be happening inside.
“We want to invite UBCM delegates to join the public at our alternative reception. This will be an opportunity for delegates to share ideas on protecting the coast, rather than wining and dining with Big Oil executives who threaten our communities,” says Eric Nordal, spokesperson for SocialCoast. “This action is part of a larger movement in British Columbia that is fighting to protect coastlines and interior waterways from the expansion of pipelines and tanker traffic.”
There is a growing opposition to pipeline expansion projects happening in British Columbia. “We expect a number of the UBCM delegates to join our event rather than the Big Oil sponsored reception inside,” says Julie Anne, organizer of the Black Chalk Project at UVic.
“We encourage the community and environmentally responsible elected officials to say no to pipeline expansions and its destructive agenda for BC,” says Nordal. “Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend.”
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For further information, contact:
Eric Nordal, SocialCoast, 250-858-6014
Eric Nordal
SocialCoast | Coordinator
Victoria, BC on Coast Salish Territories
m:942 Mason St. V8T 1A2
t: 250.858.6014