A film about the Kinder Morgan pipeline is coming to Yellowknife this week.
The Northwest Territories Chapter of the Council of Canadians is holding a town hall and screening of the film Directly Affected: Pipeline Under Pressure
The group is helping organize similar meetings across the country to “collect perspectives on the planned purchase of the Kinder Morgan assets,” Bob Bromley from the NWT chapter says.
‘To that end, we are also showing an hour and twenty-three-minute movie that examines the risks and concerns involved in that purchase using substantial taxpayer dollars,” he says.
The film tells the story of the Kinder Morgan pipeline proposed for purchase by the federal government. The Liberals announced in May that they were purchasing the pipeline and assets for $4.5 billion to ensure the expansion of the Trans Mountain Pipeline, but Kinder Morgan estimated the cost of building the expansion would be $7.4 billion.
The film also looks at how the oil and gas industries have influenced public policy in Canada, he says.
“Especially with changes to the law that prime minister Harper made that strengthened their input over federal policy,” Bromley says. “So if people are concerned about what’s happening with their taxpayer dollars, this would be a good chance to come and hear some perspectives and share their perspectives.”
As well as the film screening, this event is also a town hall meeting of territorial MP Michael McLeod’s constituents, and postcards will be available for people to send to their MP or the prime minister.
Bromley says they did invite MP McLeod, but his office said they had received word from Ottawa that the MP would not be able to attend.
“We were obviously very disappointed to hear that,” he says.
He says it’s important for people to see this film because taxes are being spent on the pipeline expansion.
“I think all Canadians should see the film and consider what it has to offer and where they align and make their views known to the federal government,” he says. “But really this is about healthy futures, healthy economies, what conditions are going to be like for our families, now and in the future and how we want our taxpayer dollars to be spent.”
Bromley says he feels that money could be spent on other things, like the transition to a clean economy, which is something the prime minister promised to work on when he was elected.
“And reconciliation, you know, providing clean drinking water for Indigenous people across the country, things like that,” Bromley points out.
Bromley says this event aims to generate a response and help people get informed.
“There’s still a narrow window of opportunity to reverse the decision that the prime minister has made by an overwhelming show of concern from the citizenry,” Bromley maintains.
But this event isn’t just about the pipeline, it’s also about creating community Bromley says.
“This is not the last thing we will be concerned about probably,” says Bromley. “So it’s working with each other, getting to know each other, sharing perspectives and increasing our ability to respond where there is the opportunity for engagement, whether it’s provided by the federal government or civil society.”
The town hall and film screening is at 7 p.m. tonight at the Northern United Place Auditorium.
