FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CALGARY, AB, May 1, 2024 – Following the Canada Energy Regulator’s approval of the final pipeline leave to open (LTO) application for the Trans Mountain Expansion Project (TMEP), the Indigenous Caucus of the Indigenous Advisory and Monitoring Committee (IAMC-TMX) calls for heightened environmental vigilance and cooperative action.
The completion of the TMX pipeline marks not an end, but a beginning. The operation phase brings a critical need for ongoing evaluation to fully understand the impacts of this project. Our commitment as the Indigenous Caucus is to ensure that these evaluations are thorough, transparent, and informed by traditional knowledge and scientific data.
“As the TMX pipeline nears completion, it is crucial that we implement rigorous follow-up monitoring to understand the true impacts of the pipeline and ensure that any potential negative effects are swiftly addressed and mitigated,” stated Raymond Cardinal, Indigenous Chair of the IAMC-TMX.
Once the TMX is completed, there will a significant increase in oil tanker traffic in the waters of the Salish Sea, the Strait of Juan de Fuca and the western approach to the Straitwaters—from one tanker per week to seven per week.
“We stand at a pivotal moment where collaboration and diligence are paramount,” said Trina Sxwithul’txw, the Chair of the Marine Shipping Subcommittee of the IAMC-TMX. “Our marine environment, a vital resource for our communities and what makes us whole as a people, demands our focused protection as tanker traffic increases. We call on all parties involved—governmental bodies, industry stakeholders, and the communities affected—to continue to find common ground in safeguarding our shared environment.”
The Indigenous Caucus of the IAMC-TMX will continue to work diligently with federal regulators and all other parties to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and to uphold the commitments made to the Indigenous communities impacted by the TMX project.
About IAMC-TMX:
The Indigenous Advisory and Monitoring Committee for the Trans Mountain Expansion (IAMC-TMX) was established following the Prime Minister’s announcement supporting the co-development of a monitoring committee when the TMX project was approved. Comprising representatives from Indigenous communities affected by the pipeline, the Canada Energy Regulator, and other government departments, the IAMC-TMX plays a crucial role in overseeing the safety and
environmental protection of the Trans Mountain Pipeline system. This vital work will continue for the entire life of the pipeline, until it is eventually decommissioned, ensuring ongoing vigilance and responsiveness to environmental and community needs.
