Social movements played a huge part in derailing Energy East

Yes, the cancellation was a business decision. But thousands of activists were instrumental in its delay

By Bronwen Tucker, CBC News, October 12, 2017

In the wake of TransCanada’s announcement that it will no longer be pursuing Energy East, a familiar chorus of politicians have emerged to blame various actors for the pipeline’s demise.

Conservative MPs and premiers pointed to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Leadership hopefuls for Alberta’s United Conservative Party framed it as a direct failure of Premier Rachel Notley. And federal Liberals explained it vaguely as a “business decision” based on “market conditions.”

TransCanada terminates plan for $15.7 billion Energy East pipeline

TransCanada Corp said today it would abandon its Energy East and Eastern Mainline pipeline projects, following tough review by Canada’s energy regulator

Vancouver Sun, October 5, 2017

TransCanada Corp. has scrapped its Energy East Pipeline and Eastern Mainline projects, oil and natural gas conduits that have faced regulatory hurdles in Canada and stiff opposition from environmental groups.

As a result of the decision, TransCanada expects an estimated $1 billion after-tax, non-cash charge to be recorded in the fourth quarter, the company said in a statement Thursday. Because regulators failed to reach a decision on the projects, TransCanada expects “no recoveries of costs from third parties.” The Energy East link to Canada’s Atlantic Coast carried a $15.7 billion price tag.

TransCanada may abandon Energy East pipeline facing tougher review

Transcanada CEO Russ Girling.

Reuters, September 7, 2017

TransCanada Corp seeks to suspend the application for its Energy East pipeline for 30 days and may abandon the project, the company said on Thursday, weeks after Canada’s National Energy Board (NEB) announced a tougher review process.

Mohawks threaten to block Energy East; says project is threat to their way of life

TransCanada’s Energy East pipeline.

by Philip Authier, Montreal Gazette, March 14, 2016

The Mohawk nation is threatening to do everything legally in its power to block the Energy East pipeline project, calling it a threat to their way of life.

Despite perceptions opposition to the project is harboured mainly by mayors in Quebec, a Mohawk-driven Canadian First Nations movement against the project is picking up steam in other parts of the country.

Grand chief of Wolastoq council in New Brunswick says they’ll oppose risky pipeline

by APTN National News, February 5, 2016
FREDERICTON – The chief of the Wolastoq Grand Council in New Brunswick says the proposed Energy East pipeline project poses too great a risk to provincial waterways, and the council will oppose it.
Grand Chief Ron Tremblay says the council has called a news conference for Monday where clanmothers and other members of the council will discuss their responsibility to protect their non-ceded homeland.

Kanesatake hopes to build opposition, raise cash for pipeline fight

Gate at Unist’ot’en camp, photo: Al Jazeera.

by Christopher Curtis, Montreal Gazette, Nov 17, 2015

If Kanesatake was meant to lead the fight against the Energy East pipeline in Quebec, things might be getting off to a slow start.

Last weekend, the environmental group Greenpeace held workshops on the Mohawk territory that focused, in part, on mobilizing people against the proposed pipeline. Only about five locals attended the event, according to Kanesatake Grand Chief Serge Simon.

Native Women Shut Down Pipeline “Consultation” in Montreal

by Submedia, Sept 24, 2015

Montreal — First Nations women and supporters sent a clear message to TransCanada this Wednesday evening that the Energy East pipeline is not welcome through First Nations lands.
“What we want TransCanada to understand is that no means no. This is Kanien’ke, this is Mohawk Land and we are tired of occupation, we are tired of environmental disaster.” said Lickers at Wednesday night’s hearing. “This is our land and we are going to protect it.”

In the pipelines’ path: Canada’s First Nations lead resistance

Women warriors at a tire fire blockade on Hwy 11, Dec 2, 2013, during resistance to SWN exploratory work for fracking in Mi’kmaq territory (New Brunswick).

Christopher Curtis, Montreal Gazette, September 4, 2015

Serge Simon steps out of his truck, saunters across Route 148 and into the bushes.

He hops over a broken lath fence, landing in the shrubs on the other side of it. As he presses forward, Simon makes a show of quickly ducking, as though some wayward farmer just fired a rifle blast overhead.

“We’re trespassing,” says Simon, flashing a mischievous smile. “But the way I see it, this is Mohawk land anyway. If anyone sees us, maybe they’ll freak out and think the natives have come to take back their territory.”

Energy East pipeline opposed by Anishinaabe Water Walkers

The Anishinaabe Water Walk protesting the Energy East pipeline will cover 125 kilometres of the proposed route between Dryden Ont. and the Manitoba boundary. (submitted by Alex Hundert)

‘We have the small percentage of clean water that’s left in this world here in this area’

CBC News, Aug 5, 2015

A group of First Nations activists in Treaty 3 territory in northwestern Ontario are walking 125 kilometres of the proposed Energy East pipeline route to demonstrate their opposition to TransCanada’s plan to convert the natural gas pipeline to transport oil.

The walk began at Eagle Lake First Nation, near Dryden, Ont., on Monday and is expected to arrive at Shoal Lake 39 First Nation, west of Kenora, Ont. on Saturday.

TransCanada quietly wooing First Nations leaders ahead of Energy East project

Grand Chief Warren White and Energy East Pipeline President François Poirier shake hands during a traditional ceremony in the sacred roundhouse of the Wauzhushk Onigum community, near Kenora, Ont.

Christopher Curtis, Montreal Gazette, July 30, 2015

TransCanada has quietly been meeting with First Nations leaders ahead of its Energy East pipeline project, signing 32 “capacity funding agreements” with aboriginal communities in the past two years.

Through these agreements, the energy firm donates money to a reserve and, in return, gets to pitch its $12 billion pipeline to community members.

TransCanada is heavily invested in these deals but insists none of its contributions to First Nations are meant to entice support for Energy East. However, Kanesatake Grand Chief Serge Simon says that accepting said money comes with stipulations he isn’t prepared to honour.