Coastal oil and gas development would seriously harm our marine ecosystems, fishing and seafood industry, and whale-watching industry through pollution and seismic testing (sonic blasts in the ocean that kill and harm marine life). At stake is the ecological integrity of our Pacific coast and the livelihoods of thousands of BC citizens that depend on these traditional coastal assets. We need your help to protect Canada's wild Pacific coast from inappropriate, dirty development.

More than seventy different interest groups ranging from tourism and fishermen to First Nations and environmental groups have joined together in the Oil Free Coast Alliance, and are on the provincial and federal governments to maintain the moratoria on any coastal oil and gas development off BC's coast. Here are some of the reasons:

• 75% of the respondents to the federal government's own public input process in the spring of 2004 supported keeping the moratorium in place.
• The environmental and economic consequences of a major oil spill or blow-out in Canada's most earthquake prone region would be devastating to coastal communities, as was the Exxon Valdez spill in Alaska. Earthquakes 8.1 (1949) and 7.0 (1970) on the Richter Scale have occurred in the Queen Charlotte Islands region. Also, the fiercest winds in Canada, recorded at almost 200 km/hr and the resulting giant waves there could demolish oil rigs and tankers.
• Major oil spills aside, inherent in coastal oil and gas production is daily chronic pollution, including the discharge of toxic drilling fluids and muds, chronic oil leakages, and small oil spills that are unavoidable. Toxic drilling fluids and muds include mercury and heavy metals like chromium and lead that contaminate fish and invertebrates.
• In order to locate oil and gas deposits, seismic tests must be done using air gun blasts that send shock waves through the ocean that deafen whales, kill fish and invertebrates, and drive fish and whales long distances away from their feeding areas and migration routes.
• Coastal oil and gas development runs counter to Canada's Kyoto Protocol commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Hydrocarbon extraction and production accounts for almost 20% of all greenhouse gas emissions in Canada.
• Few direct jobs would be created for coastal communities. Foreign work crews with the necessary specialized skills would be brought in from around the world, as is normally the case. Oil rigs would be constructed where labour is cheapest and the facilities exist, likely in South Korea or China. The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) forbids any laws that give first dibs on jobs to local people.

Federal Government Under Pressure to Lift Moratorium

The BC Liberal provincial government started the process to lift the moratoria when they were elected in 2001. Prior to the January 23, 2006 federal election, the Federal Minister of Natural Resources Gary Lunn stated his interest in allowing for oil exploration off BC's coast, which would require lifting the moratorium. It's important to let the new Conservative government know whether or not you want them to maintain the moratorium on coastal oil exploration, drilling, and transportation in BC right now!

It is vitally important that we flood the Prime Minister's office with letters of concern about offshore oil and gas development. Each letter counts for hundreds of people who feel the same way but didn't send in a letter. This is an issue that affects all Canadians.

For further information please contact:

Western Canada Wilderness Committee - Victoria chapter
651 Johnson Street, Victoria, BC V8W 1M7
Phone:(250) 388-9292
Fax: (250) 388-9223
Email: wc2vic@island.net
Website: www.wcwcvictoria.org