Oil Pipeline Threatens Endangered Orcas

The fate of the Southern Resident Killer Whales is once again threatened by a proposed oil pipeline project. The federal government is considering listing the West Coast Oil Pipeline as a 'project of national interest' under the Building Canada Act, which would expedite its construction despite concerns over its impact on the endangered whales.

The pipeline would transport up to one million barrels of oil per day from Alberta to a new marine terminal south of Vancouver. This would bring more oil tankers into the Salish Sea habitat of the Southern Residents, already struggling with pollution and lack of Chinook salmon.

There are only 74 Southern Resident Killer Whales left, and scientists and the federal government recognize that their population faces imminent threats to its survival and recovery. The proposed pipeline would add to these risks by introducing more oil tankers into their habitat.