Canadians protest outside a building where a pipeline project hearing is being held in Terrace on June 17, 2013.
Canadian activists have filed a lawsuit, demanding the countryâ„¢s federal court to cancel government legislation that restricts public comment on energy proposals.
The application filed on Tuesday asks the court to cancel new rules created by the National Energy Board, which bars citizens from freely attending and presenting their opinions at public hearings on energy proposals as well as sending a written statement to the energy board.
ForestEthics Advocacy and activist Donna Sinclair represented by civil rights lawyer Clayton Ruby argue that the legislation violates the countryâ„¢s Charter of Rights and Freedoms as well as silences dissents.
Å“Freedom of expression, guaranteed under the constitution to all Canadians, is vitally important,” said Ruby, adding, Å“What they want to do is reduce the number of critics that can be heard.”
According to the new rules introduced last year, Canadians who want to voice their opinion on energy proposals must fill out a nine-page form to the National Energy Board, justifying their right to speak.
The board reviews the application and decides which individuals or organizations are allowed to speak and reject anyone who is not Å“directly” affected by the issue.
According to Ruby during one hearing regarding Enbridge Northern Gateway project, prior to the new legislation 1,544 people gave their testimony. This year, under the new rules, only 175 people or entities are allowed to be heard.
Few people are willing to take the time or feel comfortable enough to fill out a nine-page form,” said Ruby.
In addition, the new legislation restricts the topics, which are permitted to be discussed at hearings.
Å“The Board will not consider the environmental and socio-economic effects associated with upstream activities, the development of oil sands, or the downstream use of the oil transported by the pipeline,” the application form reads.
A new hearing regarding the Enbridge Northern Gateway project is scheduled for this fall, in which the energy board proposes to reverse the flow of the 9B section pipeline from Montreal to Sarnia as well as boost the amount transported in the pipeline from 240,000 to 300,000 barrels per day of either conventional crude or diluted bitumen from the oil sands.
CAH/SS
Republished from: Press TV