B.C. oil pipeline, tankers opposed by UBCM

The Union of B.C. Municipalities has voted to oppose both a controversial pipeline proposal and the presence of oil tankers on the province's North Coast.

Delegates at the UBCM conference in Whistleroverwhelmingly passed two motions brought forward Fridayby the Village of Queen Charlotte.

The first urged Ottawa to legislate a ban on bulk crude oil tanker traffic through Queen Charlotte Sound, Dixon Entrance and Hecate Strait, while the second opposes the Northern Gateway pipeline between Alberta's oilsands and the B.C. coast, proposed by Enbridge Inc.

Opposition in the province appears to be growing as more people learn about issues such as tanker traffic in coastal waters, said Leslie Johnson, a councillor with the Village of Queen Charlotte.

Energy Minister Bill Bennett said he's aware of the concerns over tankers and the pipeline, so he's not surprised by the union's motion.

The vote shows provincial and federal governments have work ahead of them in trying to convince municipalities that the proposed twin pipeline from near Edmonton to Kitimat, B.C., can be safe, Bennett said.