Cyclists Ride to Resist TransCanada’s Export Pipeline

by Catherine Abreu

K’JIPUKTUK (HALIFAX), Nova Scotia (June 19, 2014) -  The Energy East Resistance Riders are bicycling across the country to speak with Canadians along the route of TransCanada’s proposed Energy East pipeline. They want to spark conversations about the risks the pipeline poses to hundreds of communities in its path and whether there are sustainable alternatives to expanding fossil fuel infrastructure. 

“Opposition to this pipeline is mounting,” says Alex Guest, one of four cyclists that organized the Resistance Ride. “We are making this journey to add our voice and encourage others to speak up against tar sands expansion, the violation of indigenous rights, and the transport of oil via rail or pipeline.”

The Resistance Riders believe Canadians want more for their communities than continued dependence on fossil fuels. Catherine Abreu of the Ecology Action Centre agrees that sustainable energy development is critical to securing Canadians’ future and creates far more local jobs and prosperity than any oil sands project could.

“Any jobs created by this pipeline would be short-term,” explains Abreu. “Developing our domestic renewable energy sources and investing in energy efficiency are how we’ll create long-term employment for Maritimers and prosperity for Canada.”

After a few days in Halifax the cyclists are now visiting the Annapolis Valley and the Fundy shore to hear concerns about the pipeline from farmers and fishers. Resistance Riders are keen to speak with Nova Scotians and New Brunswickers about how the pipeline might impact the Bay of Fundy. 

“We’re curious what Maritimers think about their governments and industry building infrastructure of the past rather than investing in the future in order to export oil through one of Canada’s most precious bodies of water,” explains Guest.

The Energy East Resistance Riders began their journey on May 28th in Sydney, NS and intend to complete their journey in late July in Ottawa, ON. They will arrive in New Brunswick during the week of June 23rd.

The Energy East pipeline proposes to ship 1.1 million barrels of oil a day across 4,400km of pipeline stretching from Alberta to Saint John, NB (with a possible extension to Cape Breton, NS). The majority of the oil would be exported.

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