Amanda Harvey-Sanchez, an Environmental Studies, Social-Cultural Anthropology, and Equity Studies student at the University of Toronto, was arrested for civil disobedience on October 24th, along with 98 other young environmental activists. They were protesting the potential expansion of the Kinder-Morgan Trans Mountain Pipeline.
Growing up in a household that regarded the environment with the utmost importance, Harvey-Sanchez is highly involved with issues of fossil fuel divestment, as well as concerned with issues regarding climate change and the violation of Indigenous rights.
The Kinder-Morgan Trans Mountain Pipeline is a project thought up by a Texas-based energy company, wishing to expand an existing pipeline from Alberta to British Columbia. This project has already been approved by the National Energy Board and is awaiting the response of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who is to address his stance on the issue in December of this year. The final decision will be left up to Trudeau and his cabinet. For this reason, 200 young environmental activists protested in our nation’s capital on October 24th, in the hopes of influencing the decision of our Prime Minister when it comes to the construction of the Kinder-Morgan Pipeline.
“I grew up during a time when the reality of climate change was already settled scientifically,” says Harvey-Sanchez, “I’ve watched politicians debate what they’re going to do with my future, with Indigenous peoples and climate change…my whole life, I’ve seen indifference and false illusions with politicians…they’re not doing enough.” She explains that this level of consciousness is inspired by the damage that could result if Trudeau approves the project.
A large population of individuals aged 18 to 35 oppose the pipeline, according to recent surveys, coincidentally representing the largest portion of individuals who voted for Justin Trudeau in the past election. This demographic could have a large influence on the outcome of the next election.
With the constant struggle against politicians and their views on climate change, a consistent neglect of Indigenous rights is also found. Justin Trudeau stood out, to many voters, because he chose to recognize this issue and vowed to pay the utmost attention to Indigenous needs. “Trudeau campaigned on a promise to respect Indigenous rights. Many Indigenous communities such as the Tsleil-Waututh First Nation oppose the Kinder-Morgan pipeline. They are leading the fight to protect the land and water from oil spills and climate change,” says Harvey-Sanchez.
“Indigenous peoples like the Tsleil-Wautuh First Nation have a cultural and historical connection to the land, and the Trudeau Liberals promised to respect that,” says Harvey-Sanchez, “If Trudeau approves the Kinder-Morgan pipeline, his promises will be nothing but empty words.”
Parliament Hill is a common ground for many protestors, particularly those invested in matters regarding climate change or the environment. Just last year, 25,000 people protested in the exact same area to oppose many decisions being made that regarded potentially catalyzing the effects of climate change via more environmentally unsound decisions made by the government.
[pullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]Climate change is a hotly debated topic throughout all disciplines; it affects everyone, regardless of social standing or annual income.[/pullquote]
Individuals of opposing views continually argue over social media platforms, protest outwardly in front of well-known political landmarks such as the Peace Tower, and galvanize support of what they believe to be the best course of action. What should be the role of a Prime Minister, who has to deal with this continual gradient of opinions amongst his people? Should he play the card of neutrality, weighing the amount of pros against the cons?
Many argue that the pipeline will boost the Canadian economy, allowing for countries in the eastern part of the world to trade with Canada in exchange for oil. If Justin Trudeau were to make the decision to construct this pipeline, it would be met with large opposition by people who continue to stand by Indigenous peoples, and fight against those who promote the negative consequences on the environment that usually come with the construction of something like a pipeline, or the expansion of tar sands.
Climate change is a hotly debated topic throughout all disciplines; it affects everyone, regardless of social standing or annual income. The preservation of natural land and resources, such as that which would be destroyed via the construction of this pipeline, is crucial in ensuring that the next generation of individuals are left with land to call their own.
The domino effect that will inevitably result if Justin Trudeau approves the pipeline is certainly not restricted to only the Indigenous peoples of British Columbia. Throughout the world, the impacts of climate change will begin to gradually manifest, as is seen with instances such as the earthquakes which have recently occurred, the droughts in places like California, and the macroscopic forest fire that occurred in Alberta. The general public will continue to wait with bated breath until Prime Minister Justin Trudeau makes a final decision in regards to whether or not he will construct this pipeline.
