News Release - Dec. 9, 2008

VICTORIA - Gordon Campbell's continued push for coastal drilling of offshore oil and gas shows how out of touch he is with British Columbians' environmental priorities, the New Democrats said today.

In an article published today, B.C. Liberal energy minister Richard Neufeld said that coastal drilling is something that "we're going to continue to work toward" and that his government will continue to push for an end to the moratorium on offshore oil and gas drilling.

"Gordon Campbell likes to claim he cares about the environment, but clearly he is putting the priorities of big oil ahead of sensitive marine ecosystems and the concerns of local communities. It's hypocrisy of the worst kind, and it's threatening our diverse species and the communities up and down our coast," New Democrat environment critic Shane Simpson said.

"British Columbians are clear in their opposition to coastal drilling. But the premier only wants to listen to his big corporate backers, not to the concerns of coastal communities," said Simpson, the MLA for Vancouver-Hastings.  

Simpson noted that Campbell's finance minister Colin Hansen has said that offshore drilling ‘would fit in nicely with our climate change goals'.

"The only people who would benefit from coastal drilling would be Gordon Campbell's corporate friends. We need a government that will focus on developing green jobs and alternative energy projects, instead of pushing for drilling off our sensitive coast," New Democrat energy critic John Horgan said.

Horgan noted the Campbell Liberals have been working with Exxon-Mobil on a public relations campaign to promote coastal drilling agenda.

"Hitting consumers with a gas tax while driving a corporate plan to develop emission-producing fuel is hypocrisy of the highest order. If we're going to explore for oil and gas, why would the Campbell government risk our marine environment rather than first exploring on-shore basins like the Bowser and the Nechako?" said Horgan, the MLA for Malahat-Juan de Fuca.

"Gordon Campbell has given the go-ahead to controversial coalbed methane developments, he's selling off our rivers for massive private power projects, and he has failed to invest in public transit. Are those really the actions of a ‘green' premier?," added Simpson.

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Contact: Sara Goldvine 250-208-3560