B.C. pipeline protesters target MLAs' offices

A colourful crowd of costumed anti-pipeline protestersincluding a papier mchoil tankergathered in front of Premier Christy Clark's constituency officeon the west side ofVancouver on Wednesday.

The protest was one of more than 60 organizedaround the provincetargeting theoffices ofMLAs from both parties.

Organizers were aiming to use momentum fromMonday's anti-pipeline protest in Victoria,which saw an estimated 3,000 peopleturn out on the legislature lawn to protest the proposed Northern Gateway pipeline.

Before marching on Clark's office, long-time environmentalist Tzeporah Berman told the crowd they're at a tipping point in history and they have the capacity to change the future of pipelines.

UBCProf. George Hoberg told protesters the premier is not taking a firm stance against the pipeline and still offers Enbridge a deal as long as the province gets a cut of revenues.

Prince George protests

InSmithers, organizer Nadia Nowak said the pipeline issue has united British Columbians.

"We've never seen communities coming together like this... the fact that we have over 63 communities willing to work together to defend the coastit'spretty monumental," Novak said.

Novak said their message is directed at all members of the provincial government, which so far has expresseda lack of confidence in the proposed pipeline project and has demanded much higher revenue from the pipeline if it is ever built.

"We want B.C. to take a firm stand, to enforce a permanent tanker [ban] on new oil traffic on B.C.'s coast, and so effectively that will also stop these pipelines from coming."

Novak said there are currently no rallies planned targeting the federal government, even though Ottawa has the final say on pipeline decisions.

"Hopefully, this message will reach [Ottawa]," she said.

The 1,100-kilometre Northern Gateway pipelineproposed by Enbridge Inc., which would run from the oil sands to the port of Kitimat, B.C.,is in themidst of federal review panel hearings.

Kinder Morgan is also seeking to nearly triple the capacity of its Trans Mountain Pipeline from Alberta to Burnaby.