{"id":275,"date":"2017-05-30T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2017-05-30T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/canada\/uncategorized\/275\/press-release-greenpeace-activist-climbs-bc-legislature-flagpole-to-deliver-hopeful-message-to-n-d-p-and-greens\/"},"modified":"2019-11-06T03:29:34","modified_gmt":"2019-11-06T08:29:34","slug":"press-release-greenpeace-activist-climbs-bc-legislature-flagpole-to-deliver-hopeful-message-to-n-d-p-and-greens","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.greenpeace.org\/canada\/en\/press-release\/275\/press-release-greenpeace-activist-climbs-bc-legislature-flagpole-to-deliver-hopeful-message-to-n-d-p-and-greens\/","title":{"rendered":"PRESS RELEASE – Greenpeace activist climbs BC Legislature flagpole to deliver hopeful message to N.D.P. and Greens"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n\t30 May 2017 (LEKWUNGEN TERRITORY\/VICTORIA) \u2014<\/strong> This morning, a Greenpeace activist climbed a flagpole at the B.C. Legislature to deliver a celebratory message. The activist unfurled a banner reading, \u201cPeople Power 1, Kinder Morgan 0. Change is coming\u201d<\/span> <\/span>which is now flying underneath the B.C. provincial flag.<\/span><\/span><\/span>
\nPlaying the music of Gary Wright’s 1975 pop hit \u201cDream Weaver\u201d and R.E.M.\u2019s 1988 alt-rock jam \u201cOrange Crush\u201d from the ground below, Greenpeace is sending the parties a playful yet hopeful message.<\/span>
\n\u201cThis new agreement gives the B.C. Greens and N.D.P. a fresh chance to make the right decision on Kinder Morgan. Riding this wave of people-powered change, these two parties can take a historic stand and defeat this pipeline in defense of Indigenous rights, clean water and a liveable climate,\u201d said Jessica Wilson, Head of the Oil Campaign at Greenpeace Canada.<\/span>
\nActivist Laura Yates began her ascent of the flagpole just before 9 AM PT morning this morning and raised the banner<\/span>.<\/span>
\n\u201cThis pipeline is more than a policy issue. It\u2019s an issue close to people\u2019s hearts and an important part of why we voted for change this election. The Greens and the NDP have the power to make our dream of a coast free of pipeline and tanker threats come true,\u201d said Yates.<\/span>
\nYesterday, B.C. Green Party leader Andrew Weaver announced that his party will support the B.C. NDP to form a minority government. Together, the two parties will hold 44 combined seats while the Liberals retain 43. Weaver called the issue of Kinder Morgan \u201ccritical\u201d to his party, and hinted that more details will be revealed in an announcement to be made <\/span>later today<\/span>.<\/span>
\nKinder Morgan Canada\u2019s IPO to raise the money to build the TransMountain pipeline began trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) <\/span>this morning<\/a>,\u00a0with share prices falling below the company\u2019s hoped-for range.<\/span>
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\n\u201cPipeline investors would be good to think twice,\u201d added Wilson. “The majority of B.C. voters cast ballots for parties who support communities and the environment, not dirty pipelines. With yesterday\u2019s agreement, B.C. may finally have a government that puts people before pipelines. That\u2019s bad news for Kinder Morgan, but great news for B.C.\u201d<\/span>
\nOpposition to TransMountain is widespread across B.C. More than 120 First Nations and Tribes across Canada and the U.S. stand opposed to tar sands expansion. This past weekend, hundreds of people participated in the Walk 4 Salish Sea, a 75-km walk opposing the pipeline. Four people were arrested yesterday after occupying the gates of \u00a0Kinder Morgan\u2019s Westridge Marine Terminal for almost 24 hours.<\/span>\u00a0<\/p>\n

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Contact:<\/strong>
\nOn site: Jessica Wilson, Head of the Oil Campaign, Greenpeace Canada, 778-874-5417<\/span>
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To book an interview: Jesse Firempong, Communications Officer, 778-996-6549, jesse.firempong@greenpeace.org <\/p>\n