Churchill oil line risky, Manitoba group says

An environmental group is petitioning the Manitoba government to put the brakes on an oil shipping line planned for Churchill.

Denver-based company Omnitrax has plan to ship oil through a northern port on a rail line to Churchill.

But Manitoba environmental activists are trying to stop them.

Eric Reder,Manitoba director of the Wilderness Committee,said his group has embarked on a national campaign urging opposition to the plan. He wants Canadians to write letters to their MLAs and MPs to stop the plan.

Reder said Manitoba risks losing a natural treasure if it allows the company to ship oil through the area.

"The track that runs to Churchillit runs over some very rough terrain its some of the hardest terrain to put a rail across in the world," said Reder. "As it is, we have derailments. Trains go very, very slow because the rail is always shifting."

Omnitrax officials have been holding community meetings in the area to garner support while they wait for approval from Transport Canada to ship the crude.

Earlier this month,the company announced they made a Tory MP and former chair of a national transportation committee its president.

The company already ships gas and diesel in the area but hasnt yet been approved to ship crude oil.

Right now, the Wilderness Committee is writing letters to thwart Omnixtraxs efforts, but Reder said the group has more planned to protect the area.

"We hold it up as an example to the world, Come see the natural beautiful wilderness. Spend time with the polar bears and beluga whales, and shipping oil through there and the risk of a spill would put this shining light we hold up at risk," he said.

Omnitrax plans to do a test run on the route in Churchill this fall.

On Friday, Omnitrax issued a statement in response to the group's efforts.

In it, COO Darcy Brede said Omnitrax has "significant experience transporting petroleum products."

Brede continued, "We are committed to safe operations and to minimizing our impact on the environment. We meet, and in some cases exceed, all government regulations and will continue to do so."

Omnitraxs full statement can be seen below.