saint_sulpice_welcome

June 4, 2014: Lanoraie – St. Sulpice

Today, the Peoples for Mother Earth left the town of Lanoraie for a 26 kilometer walk to Saint Sulpice. The day was warm and sunny, and the mood was joyous. The previous night in Lanoraie had seen us greeted like royalty by the local residents and the municipal government. That night (June 3), the march had — with help from local activists — organized a documentary screening with the presence of the filmmakers. The film, called 20,000 Puits Sous les Terres, details the successful struggle against shale gas in this province. The local turnout was enormous; all seats were filled and many were standing. The mayor and a municipal counsellor were also present that night, and they announced the passing of a resolution which categorically rejects the Energy East project in Lanoraie. For this reason, along with the general upbeat attitude which is always present in the march, June 4 was a day which started strong. Before beginning our days walk, we took a photograph and posted it on social media expressing solidarity with the resisters the Northern Gateway pipeline in British Colombia — which will be approved or rejected within the coming days.

 

 

June 4 also happened to be the day which the National Energy Board (NEB) held an open-house in Terrebonne regarding the Energy East pipeline project by TransCanada. Due to the section regarding the NEB in Stephen Harper’s Bill C-38 omnibus legislation, only citizens who are “directly affected” by pipeline projects are allowed to speak out during environmental assessments. Only individuals who live within one kilometer of the proposed pipeline are deemed to be “directly affected.” The NEB has also released criteria for acceptable questions for the future hearings on Energy East; and the criteria excludes all questions regarding inevitable expansion of the Tar Sands after the pipeline’s construction and the associated danger of climate change.

 

 

As a result, the Peoples for Mother Earth sent a delegation of marchers to the NEB open-house –dressed in business attire but wearing clown wigs and bright red noses — in order to demonstrate the folly of the post-reform NEB. The press release by Peoples for Mother Earth describes the NEB as “a circus,” and describes the action as a direct manifestation of the NEB’s clownish nature. Our sarcastic delegates greeted citizens who arrived at the open-house with phrases such as “Welcome to the NEB! We would just like to remind you that we do not care about your concerns. We are happy to exclude you from the democratic process. If you have any questions, feel free to keep them to yourself!” While most members of the NEB attempted to remain calm and collected, it was evident that they did not appreciate being outed as a public relations exercise on behalf of the Tar Sands industry. 

Meanwhile, in Saint Sulpice, the remainder of the march was warmly greeted by a contingent of local activists upon the group’s arrival in the town. Coule Pas Chez Nous (a campaign based in the Lower St. Lawrence, organized by a coalition of anti-pipeline groups) signs were present on the front lawns and in the windows of many homes in the town. We later learned that the municipal government had been making efforts to mobilize opposition to Energy East, using the already-established network of activists who fought shale gas in 2011. Various members of the town put on a show for us later in the evening, which included a group of fifth and sixth graders singing original protest songs. A municipal counsellor showed up as well, and announced the passing of legislation which — as in Lanoraie — unconditionally rejects the pipeline project. 

Tomorrow, June 5, the march will be entering the island of Montreal through Pointe-Aux-Trembles — where we will cease following Energy East and begin to follow Enbridge’s already approved Line 9 reversal, which will carry Tar Sands fuel from Sarnia, Ontario to Montreal, Québec. Check back tomorrow for updates.