Mattawa town council meets tonight, and one of the items on the agenda is expected to be the agreement with TransCanada Pipeline to accept $30,000 toward the purchase of a rescue truck for the fire department.
Part of the agreement states that Mattawa can't comment publicly on TransCanada's business affairs.
That has led to speculation that the clause will prevent Mattawa from giving its opinion on the controversial Energy East proposal to send oil east.
Mayor Dean Backer says it's all a misunderstanding, and that he has received a letter from TCP which says Mattawa is free from that clause.
Meanwhile an online petition, started by the environmental group AVAAZ, has almost 30,000 signatures.
See petition here:https://secure.avaaz.org/en/dont_silence_mattawa_e/?bNiVVfb&v=42364
The petition addresses council, "As citizens supportive of free speech and dedicated to ensuring Canada’s environment is protected, we urge you to amend your recent Partnership Agreement to remove the clause barring the town from commenting on TransCanada’s operations or projects. TransCanada should never put silencing clauses into contracts with governments, and should disclose all other contracts where they have been included."
The group says it will present the petition to councillors tonight.
