But the political landscape has shifted dramatically. At this moment, several factors are converging. They present a unique political opportunity for the provincial government to ban new oil and gas infrastructure on the coast – a move that would demonstrate bold leadership, integrity and consistency with BC’s current climate change commitments. Consider these facts:

1.    Since 2006, dozens of national and provincial opinion polls demonstrate unprecedented public concern over climate change and greenhouse gas emissions. The environment – particularly with respect to climate change policy – has become a ‘voting issue’.

2.    On the coast, these concerns focus specifically on oil and gas development. For example, a poll conducted by Mustel Group in 2006 confirmed that 3 in 4 British Columbians support a ban on oil tankers in the Inside Passage. In coastal electoral districts, that number rose to over 8 in 10 supporting a ban. The opposition to tankers cuts across party lines and has saliency with all voters. Over 72% of both Federal Liberal and Conservative voters support a ban on tankers, as well as over 85% of federal NDP voters. These numbers increase by 8-10% in coastal areas. A follow-up poll conducted by Ipsos-Reid confirmed these results.

3.    At the same time, Premier Campbell has led BC into joining the Western Regional Climate Action Initiative (WRCAI) in order to more boldly tackle a region-wide reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. WRCAI is led by the Governors of five Western US states - all of whom unanimously support a permanent ban on oil drilling off the West Coast.

4.    A campaign for a Federal ban on oil tanker traffic has already attracted considerable support with over 16000 people signing petitions to keep BC’s North Coast oil tanker free.