Vancouver protesters stage final rally against Trans Mountain pipeline ahead of Ottawa decision

Protesters gathered near Science World in Vancouver to protest the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion Sunday in a last-ditch effort to convince the federal government not to approve the controversial project.

Ottawa has promised it will make its final decision on the expansion by June 18 to allow for consultations to wrap up with Indigenous groups.

Protesters in Vancouver argued granting approval for a second time would be a huge and costly mistake.

“People here in British Columbia are still opposed to this project,” Stand.org campaigner Sven Biggs said. “We know is going to be out here looking for our votes in the fall, and if he approves this pipeline he is going to run into a lot of angry British Columbians.”

Beyond the political ramifications, Biggs echoed one demonstrator’s sign that read, “No pipelines in a climate crisis,” and said the expansion will only make things worse for the environment.