Reasons to keep the moratorium

The moratorium is currently the only effective mechanism guaranteeing protection of B.C.'s coastline and existing industries like fishing and tourism. The following are some reasons to keep our coast free of drilling:

1. B.C. is a high-risk area

B.C. is unique because the proposed oil and gas extraction is nearshore, not offshore. An oil spill here would be devastating, as the wind and current patterns would ensure that contaminants hit the coast and areas of high economic and ecological importance.

• The Queen Charlotte Basin is known as the "Galapagos of the North". This area is acknowledged to have one of the richest marine flora in the world (Hawkes 1994), and it supports a wide range of fauna, including more than 400 species of fish, 6,500 species of invertebrates, 121 species of birds, and 29 species of marine mammals.
  
  
• The distinct oceanographic conditions of the B.C. coast support the only known living glass-sponge reefs on Earth, in an area proposed as a United Nations' World Heritage Site (UNESCO). Scientists are concerned that daily chronic pollution from oil-rig-drilling cuttings could be toxic to the filtering action of the glass-sponge reefs.
  
  
• The B.C. marine ecosystem has supported aboriginal peoples for the past 12,000 years. The unique biological richness of this coastal and marine ecosystem has allowed these societies to develop vibrant cultures and traditions.
  
  
• The Scott Islands have been recognized as a globally significant bird area. More than two million seabirds live and breed on the island every year. Three species - Cassin's auklet, rhinoceros auklet and tufted puffin (right) - have globally significant populations in this small protected area. An oil spill in this region could be devastating to these species. Environment Canada is proposing this area as a wildlife conservation area.

 2. Damage to the marine environment is inevitable

Proponents of this activity will try to convince the public that technological advancements have made testing and production safe. This is simply not the case.

• Before production begins, seismic testing locates deposits of gas and oil underneath the sea floor. These bursts of high-pressure air directed at the seabed disrupt the migratory paths and feeding patterns of whales, damage fish with swim bladders, destroy fish eggs and larvae, and cause fish to leave an area. These effects could have a tremendous negative impact on our fishing and tourism industries.
  
  
• Significant gaps exist with the science concerning damage from seismic testing, but scientists believe the high-intensity noise produced from this exploration activity is a factor in the fatal strandings of whales off of Mexico and the Galapagos Island. (Scripps Institute Report)
  
  
• A recent U.S. government environmental report on offshore oil and gas development in Alaska's Cook Inlet concluded that proposed developments similar to those being discussed in B.C. will result in 483 oil spills over the next several decades and a one-in-five chance of a major oil spill.
  
  
• Under the best conditions, only 15 per cent of an oil spill can be recovered. Further, winds above 20 to 25 knots make oil-spill clean-up completely ineffective. Based on the average wind speed for the Queen Charlotte Basin, clean-up response for accidents and spills in the area would be virtually useless from December to March.
  
  
• Oil platforms release pollution into the surrounding waters every day. A single production platform can discharge over 90,000 metric tonnes of toxic waste into the ocean in its lifetime. Due to the amount of offshore drilling in the North Sea, Norwegian scientists have called the release of toxic waters during oil and gas productions "one of the biggest ticking bombs of the North Sea environment".

3. Marginal economic gains for a few, high economic risk for many

The economic benefits of offshore oil and gas would be very modest for B.C. because this is a capital-intensive industry (even compared to conventional oil and gas production) that hires specialized contractors to do most of the work.

Myth: Offshore oil and gas will bring great economic benefit to B.C.    

Fact: This is a high-risk/capital-intensive industry requiring substantial government subsidies; e.g., Hibernia required $4.6 billion in government contributions in the form of grants, tax exemptions, loan guarantees, and equity.

Myth: Jobs will be created, directly and indirectly. 
Fact: Very few jobs are created per dollar invested, and spin-off jobs are notoriously low.

• Most jobs in the construction phase go to other jurisdictions where labour costs are low and expertise exists; e.g., S. Korea, UK.
• Some long-term jobs may be created (a few hundred jobs per rig, not necessarily awarded to locals), but may put thousands of local jobs at risk.
• Renewable energy like wind power creates twice the jobs per dollar invested.

Myth: We will get wealthy on royalties.

Fact: Royalties are marginal compared to land-based oil and gas.

• High risk and production costs of offshore drilling = limited government revenue.
• $14 billion of oil left Newfoundland, only two per cent went to province ($300 million).

Myth: Offshore oil and gas is the best economic opportunity for coastal communities.

Fact: Offshore oil and gas drilling threatens existing coastal industries that already benefit locals.

4. Offshore oil and gas drilling will compromise Canada's commitment to the Kyoto Protocol

Expanding the oil and gas industry perpetuates a dependence on fossil fuels and is contrary to the aims of the Kyoto Protocol (to which the federal government committed Canada) to cut greenhouse-gas emissions.

• The amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere from burning the crude oil and natural gas from B.C.’s offshore drilling would be the equivalent of putting 13 million cars on the road for 20 years (the life of the offshore project).
• Greenhouse-gas emissions from the production of oil and gas are growing faster than any other source in the province.

5. Laws and regulations will not guarantee protection of B.C.'s coast

Current regulations are not stopping poor environmental performance. A B.C. Oil and Gas Commission audit of the industry in northeast B.C. found widespread environmental infractions. Of 160 sites assessed, 35 had major environmental violations and 16 had minor ones.

If the B.C. government does not regulate the oil industry on land, how will it do so at sea?

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