A local lobby group called Stop Energy East, says over 80% of the 23 candidates running for the 10 positions on North Bay’s municipal council said “yes” they are opposed to TransCanada’s Energy East Project.
Only one candidate said he was not opposed to TransCanada’s plan to convert a natural gas pipeline that runs through the Trout Lake watershed to make it a carrier for crude oil and diluted bitumen from Alberta’s tar sands.
All candidates running for a position on municipal council for the City of North Bay were invited to respond to a two question survey about TransCanada’s proposed Energy East project. Candidates were asked to reply with a “yes” or “no” to the questions “Are you opposed to TransCanada's proposed Energy East pipeline conversion project?” and “Have you accepted any campaign contributions from TransCanada Pipeline Limited or its subsidiaries, affiliates or related interest groups for the 2014 municipal election campaign?”.
Candidates were given the option of adding comments.
See comments here:
https://gallery.mailchimp.com/4176958a0d3073fddcf5e0b2a/files/NorthBay_StopEnergyEast_CandidatesResponses.pdf
“We had a one hundred percent response rate”, said Jim Sinclair, speaking on behalf of the citizens’ group Stop Energy East (North Bay) who conducted the survey. “This project is clearly an important issue in this election, and the candidates’ responses reflect the mood of City residents: the Energy East project is widely opposed.
"We will continue to address the pipeline issue," Sinclair told BayToday. "It will be interesting to see if the new council continues with its earlier plan to be an intervenor."
Judy Koziol didn't commit. "My Mom-in-law and husband own property in Bonfield where the TransCanada pipeline runs on/through. I have sought legal advise, and according to the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act, 5.1.c. the conflict stands" she adds in the comment section.
Tanya Vrebosh said she will wait for studies from experts the City will retain to support its intervention in the National Energy Board hearing next year.
" I will make an informed decision, like I always do once the study is released and brought forward to council. I could take the easy way out and say that I am completely against it. But I'm taking the risk being honest before an election. I think we're being responsible at getting our own independent study done and preparing to be an intervenor at the NEB. I want safe drinking water (which I love our water) just as much as anyone else" she says in the comments section of the survey.
Elizabeth Fournier expressed concerns about the project, but did not provide a “yes” or “no” response.
Derek Elliot said he did not oppose the project.
Most candidates expressed concerns for the City’s drinking water source and many pointed to the risk of a pipeline failure or spill.
Several expressed support for the City of North Bay’s plans to intervene in the National Energy Board hearing. All candidates replied that they had not accepted any campaign contributions from TransCanada Pipeline Limited or its subsidiaries, affiliates or related interest groups for the 2014 municipal election campaign.
The candidates’ responses to the question about whether they are opposed to TransCanada’s proposed Energy East pipeline conversion project have been posted online, including comments in response to the question about whether candidates are opposed to the pipeline conversion.
Posts are on the web site http://www.stopenergyeastpipeline.ca/ and Facebook page Stop Energy East, including the original questions, links to the related posts, the candidates’ responses and comments.
