FILE PHOTO

Image Credit: Randy Millis

KAMLOOPS - With a federal decision coming up on the Kinder Morgan Trans Mountain pipeline, local opponents are preparing a demonstration in downtown Kamloops tomorrow.

Co-organizer Mike McKenzie says there haven’t been any big demonstrations in Kamloops, but he thinks something should happen here since the pipeline expansion, if approved, will run through city land. The protest tomorrow, Nov. 25, will be held at the intersection of Victoria Street and Third Avenue.

“It’s important to be right in front of the public,” he says. “We have noting to hide, we’re not out to get anybody.”

The plan is for speakers and banners to be brought our at noon. There isn’t a firm end time, McKenzie says it’ll depend on how things go.

“We’ll be flexible to the conditions of the environment,” he says. “With any protest you do cause a disturbance; our hope though is that it’s a positive disturbance.”

Currently nearly 50 people have signed up to attend on Facebook. McKenzie says says while the demonstration is specific to the Kinder Morgan pipeline, some people will likely be carrying banners supporting protestors at Standing Rock. For McKenzie, who’s spent time on First Nations youth councils and as a youth representative in national and local organizations, it’s about the future and his peers.

“I’m passionate about it because the youth are passionate about it,” he says.

McKenzie points to a difference of opinion between the young people he’s spoken to and represents, and some of the leadership of local First Nations who have signed agreements with Kinder Morgan.

“As young people we’re not in favour of that,” he says.

Kinder Morgan's $6.8-billion Trans Mountain pipeline expansion would almost triple the amount of diluted Alberta bitumen being pumped to an export terminal in Burnaby, B.C., and would result in a seven-fold increase in tanker traffic in waters off southern B.C.

The local event follows a major march in Vancouver this past Saturday, Nov. 19.

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