‘If Campbell were serious about climate change, he'd stand by the moratorium," says Horgan

News Release - July 3, 2008

New Democrat energy critic John Horgan says it is astounding that Gordon Campbell's new finance minister is continuing to promote offshore oil and gas exploration.

"The hypocrisy is overwhelming," says Horgan.  "Campbell wants us to believe he is serious about climate change, yet this morning Finance Minister Colin Hanson continued the Campbell government's campaign to lift the moratorium on offshore oil and gas."

Hansen was quoted this morning complaining it is unfair for the federal government to allow oil drilling on Canada's east coast, but not on the west coast.  He claimed that his government's continued opposition to an offshore oil and gas moratorium is not a contradiction, saying:  "Let's minimize our personal consumption of fossil fuels.  At the same time we still need to ensure that we explore and develop; let's do it in way that's environmentally sound."

"What a joke," said Horgan.  "Campbell claims he cares about the environment, but he's prepared to risk our ocean ecosystem for more fossil fuels and more profits for big oil.

"This hypocrisy isn't much of a surprise," said Horgan.  "Campbell has already made it clear he wants average families to pay a fuel tax while oil and gas companies get the largest subsidies ever."

Carole James and the NDP support the offshore oil and gas moratorium that is in place to protect B.C.'s west coast marine ecosystems. 

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Contact: Karin Heimlich, 250-889-6308