Skip to content
Join our Newsletter

Whistler protesters march against oil pipeline construction

Event follows massive gathering of protesters at provincial legislature Monday
n-pipeline-protest-jfrench-web-1943
OIL OBJECTION More than 200 people matched through Whistler Village Wednesday, Oct. 24 to share their objection to pipeline construction proposals that will move oil from Alberta to the B.C. coast. Photo by John French

Kim Saprunoff gathered more than 200 like-minded individuals today to walk with her through Whistler Village.

The group walked with a purpose, many carrying signs with messages making it clear that the group opposes the construction of oil pipelines between Alberta and the B.C. coast.

One elementary-aged marcher held a sign reading "Our Coast is NOT For Sale" while a marcher beside him held up a black and orange for-sale sign decorated with small Canadian flags and the word "NOT" inked into the white space at the bottom of the sign.

The group chanted as it walked.

"I say, 'Do we want a pipeline?' and you say, 'No,'" said one marcher as the group snaked around the corner from Skier's Plaza during the lunch hour walk.

The chanting echoed on and off through the Village Stroll as the group meandered toward Celebration Plaza.

The group opposes the proposed Enbridge Northern Gateway pipeline designed to link Kitimat to the oil-rich areas of northern Alberta. If the pipeline is built as proposed it will pump heavy oil products into tankers that will move the raw energy product for further refinement mainly in China.

A similar protest was planned for Nexen Beach in Squamish and more than 3,000 people gathered on Monday on the lawn of the B.C. legislature to voice objections to oil pipeline construction.