Dyskurs polityczny wokół projektu rozbudowy ropociągu i dla ropy naftowej Trans Mountain Pipeline w Kanadzie. Historia i analiza skutków dla społeczeństwa oraz środowiska naturalnego powstania rurociągu

Political discourse surrounding the Trans Mountain Pipeline for crude oil expansion project in Canada. History and analysis of the social and environmental impacts of the pipeline’s construction

The Trans Mountain pipeline expansion project became one of the most controversial infrastructure projects in recent Canadian history. The investment involved expanding an existing pipeline connecting Edmonton, Alberta, to Burnaby, British Columbia, and significantly increasing its capacity, which would result in an increase in tanker traffic from 5 to 34 vessels monthly. The topic is broadly discuss in the literature. The Canadian government strongly supported the project, pointing to significant economic benefits ( creating 5,000 jobs, annual tax revenues of $500 million, and increasing oil exports). However there was a conflict between First Nations representatives (particularly the Tsleil-Waututh community) and Canadian Government. The conflict lay in the significant difference lay in the approach to environmental issues. While the government analysis indicated insignificant or short-term environmental impacts, the Tsleil-Waututh report presented much more pessimistic scenarios. The dispute also concerned the methodology of assessing oil spill risks and their potential consequences. Additionally, The entire situation gained additional political dimension when it coincided with the 2015 parliamentary elections. The change in power from Conservatives led by Stephen Harper to Liberals led by Justin Trudeau brought a promise to reconsider the project. This article describes and investigate the typical tension between economic development and environmental protection and indigenous rights that often occurs in similar infrastructure projects. It’s particularly significant that both sides operate with different risk assessment methodologies, leading to fundamentally different conclusions.

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