Moratorium

Timeline

1972
The Canadian government introduces a moratorium banning oil tankers from the North and Central Coast of B.C.

1977
Kitimat and Prince Rupert considered as potential oil tanker ports. Hearings held in coastal communities and scientific analysis conducted by Transport Canada conclude that oil spills would be inevitable and that the effects of such spills on the ecology and socio-economic stability of coastal communities could be serious.

1989
The Exxon Valdez oil tanker hits Bligh Reef while carrying over 200 million litres of oil. Approximately 41 million litres spill, the equivalent of 257,000 barrels. The amount of spilled oil is roughly equivalent to 125 Olympic-sized swimming pools. Public concern about the spill leads to the moratorium remaining in place.

1990
Federal government report on tanker safety in Canadian waters determines that 100 small, 10 moderate and one major spill would occur every year. Environment Canada concludes that a catastrophic spill is predicted once every 15 years.

2003
At this time a federally commissioned panel of scientists conclude that the moratorium should stay in place.

2006
Federal government allows the violation of the long-standing moratorium on tankers by permitting tankers carrying condensate (a toxic petrochemical used to thin the tarlike oil extracted from the tar sands) to travel through coastal waters to Kitimat, B.C.

2007
Today the fate of the moratorium rests in the hands of Canadians. Our federal and provincial governments need to hear that voters support the moratorium and want it strengthened.