Thousands Gather at 50+ Vigils Opposing Kinder Morgan Pipeline

Multiple Cities - From Nanaimo, B.C. to Charlottetown, PEI, in big cities and small towns, thousands of people gathered and lit candles last night in opposition to the Kinder Morgan tar sands pipeline.

"This isn't just a BC issue anymore. It's a national issue and a test of Prime Minister Trudeau's promises on climate change and Indigenous rights," said Clayton Thomas-Muller, Stop-it-at-the-Source campaigner with 350.org. "If he approves Kinder Morgan, it's a test he's going to fail."

The vigils were organized in less than two weeks as rumours began to circulate that a decision on Kinder Morgan could happen ahead of the December 19th deadline.

"People all across Canada want this government to protect the land, water and climate," said Daniel Cayley-Daoust, Energy and Climate Justice Campaigner with the Council of Canadians. "What we saw last night was just the beginning if this government approves Kinder Morgan."

In Quebec, where opposition to the proposed Energy East pipeline is strong, there were nine vigils, with many communities coming together to send a message of unity in opposition to new pipelines.

"Some pundits think this is a Quebec versus B.C. issue and a decision between Energy East and Kinder Morgan, but to meet our Paris climate targets, we can't have either," said Sophie Birks, a McGill student who was at the Montreal vigil and who was arrested with 99 other youth opposing the pipeline at Parliament Hill in October. "For me and my generation, climate is one of the most important issues and if Trudeau approves any new pipelines, he will lose our vote."