OUR RISK Pipelines spill. Converting an existing pipeline heightens spill risks in Saskatchewan and Ontario, and a diluted bitumen spill threatens irreversible damage to our precious waterways. Reckless tar sands expansion. Energy East is the biggest pipeline proposal in Canada to date, and is part of a much larger pipeline push by Big Oil. It is a critical part of industry plans for a threefold expansion of the tar sands. Fracking our future. In addition to transporting fracked Bakken shale oil – the substance that exploded in the Lac Megantic tragedy – Energy East would make Ontario and Quebec more reliant on fracked gas imports. Disrespecting Indigenous rights. The pipeline would cross through the land of more than 50 First Nations that have the right to Free Prior Informed Consent, including the right to say “no.” Communities also have the right to say “no.” Communities in B.C. and the U.S. are rejecting export tar sands pipelines, why should Eastern Canadians bear these risks?

Ontario and Quebec may face energy shortages. Energy East could lead to dramatic reductions in access to western gas for Ontario and Quebec, which could increase costs and cause shortages. Runaway climate change. Swift action is needed to address climate change. Tar sands crude produces even more pollution than conventional oil. Any tar sands expansion would significantly contribute to Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions. A bad investment. Investing in fossil fuel infrastructure detracts from needed investments in a green energy future.

THEIR REWARD Export pipelines make big bucks for Big Oil. Energy East is primarily about getting western crude to eastern coastal waters. Why? Faced with fierce opposition to tar sands pipelines in B.C. and the U.S., Big Oil needs to find a different way to get its crude to international markets. If the pipelines can’t go west, Big Oil will send them east to ship to international markets in order to maximize profits.