Environmental advocates in Canada are raising alarms over a proposed new oil pipeline, fearing it could jeopardize the survival of the critically endangered southern resident orca. The conflict arises as the rush to expand fossil fuel infrastructure appears to clash with existing laws designed to protect threatened species.
Pipeline Expansion and Proposed Policy Shifts
Mark Carney recently announced plans for a new oil pipeline extending from Alberta to the Pacific coast, with construction expected to begin by the fall of 2027. This announcement coincides with a new policy discussion paper titled “Getting Major Projects Built in Canada.”
The document describes the current process for constructing pipelines, ports, airports, and mines as “slow, expensive, and confusing.” To address these issues, the paper suggests several changes to existing rules, including a proposal to exempt major projects from the “jeopardy test for species at risk.”
Under current endangered species legislation, regulators must determine if a project would jeopardize the survival or recovery of a protected species. Critics argue that removing this safeguard could push endangered animals toward extinction.
The Threat to Southern Resident Orcas
The southern resident orcas rely exclusively on chinook salmon, a species that is currently in steep decline. Environmental groups point to increased ship traffic along the south-west coast of British Columbia—driven by a new liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal and the Trans Mountain oil pipeline—as a primary threat.
Misty MacDuffee, a biologist at Raincoast Conservation Foundation, stated that weakening safeguards has “direct implications” for these whales, noting that the federal government has already acknowledged they face extinction under existing conditions.
Margot Venton, a director at the environmental law charity Ecojustice, warned that increasing tanker traffic in the Salish Sea raises the risk of oil spills and increases ocean noise. Venton noted that experts have been unable to find a way to offset the noise from increasing tanker traffic, stating, “These whales cannot handle any more tankers in their habitat.”
Government Response and Industry Friction
Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon has pushed back against these concerns, stating that reports of weakened protections “could not be further from the truth.” He highlighted a C$91.3m investment to address threats to the orca population.
The government is also updating regulations to increase the required distance between ships and whales from 200 metres to 1,000 metres to reduce acoustic and physical disturbance. MacKinnon asserted that the government’s approach is about “improving coordination, efficiency, and long-term planning” rather than cutting corners.
However, the effectiveness of these laws is often questioned when they conflict with lucrative industries. For example, successive environment ministers have declined to designate chinook salmon as a species at risk due to the potential implications for the fishing industry.
Looking Ahead
The proposed policy changes are open for public comment until June 9. Depending on the feedback and political pressure, the federal government may either maintain the “jeopardy test” or move forward with exemptions for projects of national interest.
Nature Canada is currently urging supporters to contact lawmakers to vote against any fast-tracked legislation. If such laws are passed, the group warns it could lead to zones of “environmental lawlessness,” while environmental groups may continue to challenge the pipeline’s impact on whale habitats.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the “jeopardy test” mentioned in the policy paper?
It is a provision in Canada’s endangered species legislation that requires regulators to ask whether a specific project would jeopardize the survival or recovery of a protected species.
How is the government attempting to mitigate ship disturbance for orcas?
The government is increasing the legal distance ships must maintain from whales, raising the limit from 200 metres to 1,000 metres.
Why haven’t chinook salmon been designated as a species at risk?
Successive environment ministers have declined this designation largely because of the implications such a decision would have on the fishing industry.
Do you believe economic “nation building” projects should be exempt from certain environmental safeguards to increase efficiency?
