Guelph’s member of parliament may not have been at his office during a local protest of the Kinder Morgan Trans Mountain pipeline deal on Monday, but the MP says he is aware of the situation and has spoken to the group.
Almost 50 protesters stood outside the office of MP Lloyd Longfield on Monday afternoon, some carrying signs or hanging protest signs against the buyout.
It was one of a number of similar protests being held at the offices of Liberal MPs across the country, said Lin Grist, organizer and member of the Guelph chapter of Council of Canadians, a social action advocacy organization.
“I don’t think buying a pipeline is a good message, it really isn’t,” said Grist.
The rallies follow an announcement last week by the federal government that it will spend $4.5 billion to buy the pipeline from Kinder Morgan and ensure the expansion project is completed.
“In the mainstream media, we are hearing a lot from Alberta and a lot from the federal government about how wonderful this is and that we can’t economically do without it. I respectfully disagree,” said Grist.
Longfield was in Ottawa while his Guelph office was facing the protest. Grist said she met with the MP recently about the issue.
“We spoke to Mr. Longfield and he gave us a lot of time, he gave us an hour,” she said.
In an email response sent to GuelphToday on Monday, Longfield said he was pleased to meet with the Council of Canadians and others a few weeks back, adding that face to face meetings and lawful public protest are important elements of Canada’s democracy.
“I provided background to them as well, including the project goals for sustainable development and consultation with indigenous Canadians. In particular we discussed the plans to eliminate oil and gas subsidies by 2025, alternate energy development, and meeting Canada’s 2030 Paris Accord targets,” said Longfield in the email.
Grist said it was clear to her that Longfield was in favour of the pipeline purchase and suggested it will work against Canada’s commitment to meet carbon reduction targets.
“He believes it is good for the national economy. We respectfully disagree with him,” said Grist.
“It probably won’t affect me in the long run, I am old,” said Grist. “But I have grandchildren — lots of people have grandchildren — and I want them to have the clean air, clean water and a decent living that is without fossil fuels,” said Grist.
Similar events were held in dozens of other cities across Canada, including Calgary, Regina, Toronto and Halifax.
—with files from The Canadian Press
