More than 500 BC businesses sign open letter in opposition to Trans Mountain Pipeline expansion

The business community in British Columbia has added their voices to the ongoing debate over the controversial Trans Mountain Pipeline expansion.

The letter, written to Premier John Horgan and the cabinet, expresses gratitude to those who have stood up against the project, which they say is "dangerous and unnecessary."

They also warned that the pipeline will have a negative effect on business in the province, where the tech, tourism, clean energy, agriculture, and creative sectors thrive.

“These are the remarkably diverse sectors that together employ most of our country's workforce. Today, the technology, tourism, construction, film and television industries each create more jobs than oil, gas, and mining combined. They also make up the fastest growing sectors of our economy,” the letter reads.

“We know that you and your government value these sectors and the hundreds of thousands of jobs that are dependent on B.C. remaining a wonderful place to live, work and play.”

More than 500 businesses have signed the letter, published on Thursday, and includes the names of leaders in tourism, venture capital, education, media, and technology.

The business community states that they believe the approval process for the project was “deeply flawed,” as it did not consider upstream or downstream emissions.

“Building the Kinder Morgan pipeline not only commits B.C.’s west coast to a specific economic development path, it also jeopardizes our ability to meet Canada's international climate commitments,” the letter says.

“Business can be a profound force for change. It's time our voices speak out for conservation, in solidarity with the Tsleil-Waututh and other Indigenous peoples, and for a sustainable economy.”

The letter was published a few days after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met with provincial leaders John Horgan and Rachel Notley to discuss the future of the pipeline.

John Horgan, premier of B.C., said prior to the meeting that he was traveling to Ottawa to stand up for the province and to protect our coasts. Rachel Notley, the premier of Alberta, had one objective, which is to get the pipeline built without delay.

Trudeau has said that the federal government will use its authority to resolve the impasse, adding that they are in financial discussions with Kinder Morgan and are looking into legislative options to “remove uncertainty” from the project.