OPEN LETTER: Evidence of Trans Mountain Pipeline Expansion Harms to Wild Salmon

We are writing to you to raise very urgent concerns that have been brought to our attention about evidence of harms to wild salmon caused by the construction of the Trans Mountain Pipeline Expansion at work sites where the pipeline crosses the Coquihalla River.
The Coquihalla River is a tributary of the Fraser River and forms a part of the watershed that is essential for resident wild salmon species. For example, the Pacific Salmon Commission reports, as in an August 2, 2022 Vancouver Sun article (https://vancouversun.com/news/local- news/strong-sockeye-salmon-runs-bode-well-for-famed-fraser-fishery) that 2022 is expected to be a dominant year in the sockeye salmon’s four-year reproductive cycle, meaning that mature fish will be returning to the watershed to spawn. Protecting the millions of salmon expected to spawn in these rivers this year is utterly crucial for the survival of these keystone species, and on- the-ground observers have advised us that there are indications that the Fraser River is experiencing a large and early salmon run.
August 11, 2022
The Honourable Joyce Murray
Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard House of Commons
Ottawa ON K1A 0A6
The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson Minister of Natural Resources House of Commons
Ottawa ON K1A 0A6
The Honourable Steven Guilbeault
Minister of Environment and Climate Change House of Commons
Ottawa ON K1A 0A6
The Honourable Marc Miller
Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations House of Commons
Ottawa ON K1A 0A6
Sent Via Email
Dear Minster Murray, Minister Wilkinson, Minister Guilbeault and Minister Miller,
Urgent Open Letter re: Evidence of Trans Mountain Pipeline Expansion Harms to Wild Salmon
We are writing to you to raise very urgent concerns that have been brought to our attention about evidence of harms to wild salmon caused by the construction of the Trans Mountain Pipeline Expansion at work sites where the pipeline crosses the Coquihalla River.
The Coquihalla River is a tributary of the Fraser River and forms a part of the watershed that is essential for resident wild salmon species. For example, the Pacific Salmon Commission reports, as in an August 2, 2022 Vancouver Sun article (https://vancouversun.com/news/local- news/strong-sockeye-salmon-runs-bode-well-for-famed-fraser-fishery) that 2022 is expected to be a dominant year in the sockeye salmon’s four-year reproductive cycle, meaning that mature fish will be returning to the watershed to spawn. Protecting the millions of salmon expected to spawn in these rivers this year is utterly crucial for the survival of these keystone species, and on- the-ground observers have advised us that there are indications that the Fraser River is experiencing a large and early salmon run.
We understand that the Trans Mountain Expansion project (TMX) received a permit from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) under the Fisheries Act, DFO Authorization 19-HPAC- 00555, to begin work near and in-stream of the Coquihalla River between August 1 and August 30, 2022, and that some preparatory work may have been completed at these permitted sites in advance of those dates (i.e., clearing vegetation). A copy of the permit as filed with the Canada Energy Regulator is enclosed.
At the beginning of August, local residents in Hope, BC started noticing that dead fish were appearing at the site where the TMX work was being done.
Local Hope area resident and health science expert Dr. Kate Tairyan began observing the remains of dead fish near the site of TMX Crossing 16 and documented her observations. Two images are enclosed for your information showing the fish remains. We are advised that Dr. Tairyan’s family as well as other local residents have been reporting the issue to DFO’s 1-800 public reporting line.
We are further advised that Dr. Tairyan was told by a member of Trans Mountain's biologist crew from Triton that the dead fish had already spawned. However, her husband, a retired pathologist, cut open 5 of the dead fish and found eggs inside four of those fish. Dr. Tairyan documented these findings as well.
The DFO permit makes it abundantly clear that the TMX construction period permitted was expected to take place “to occur during a period of lower sensitivity to the life processes of resident and anadromous fish species (e.g., pink salmon, chum salmon, steelhead trout)”. 
However, it appears that the early salmon run means that the works are having a major impact on the fish. The DFO permit lays out numerous conditions to which TMX must adhere to avoid and mitigate impacts to fish and fish habitat. The reports and observations of dead fish by local residents, in this context, are cause for grave alarm.
Ministers, our public opposition to the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion remains steadfast; but, so long as the pipeline remains an asset held by the government in the public trust, we expect transparency, accountability, and regulatory compliance in this undertaking, including every precaution to steward the safe passage of spawning salmon on the Coquihalla River, and all impacted tributaries of the Fraser River. Local residents assert that the dead fish provide clear evidence of Trans Mountain pipeline expansion harms to wild salmon, and that continued work is therefore in breach of their DFO permit.
We share in these concerns. Your government has obligations to steward the health of the Pacific wild salmon populations: as per the Fisheries Act, as outlined in the Pacific Salmon Strategy, and in respect of Canada’s obligations under the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. We therefore ask that you please act immediately to intervene and halt construction of the TMX pipeline expansion at a minimum until the salmon have spawned and the salmon run is safely complete. The future health of wild Pacific salmon species and Pacific ecosystems, and the human, animal, and plant life they support, may depend on your actions in this.
We thank you in advance for your attention to this matter and will look forward to receiving your response.
Sincerely,
Lisa Marie Barron
Member of Parliament for Nanaimo-Ladysmith
NDP Critic for Fisheries, Oceans, and the Canadian Coast Guard
Jenny Kwan
Member of Parliament for Vancouver East NDP Caucus Chair
Peter Julian
Member of Parliament for New Westminster-Burnaby NDP House Leader
Bonita Zarrillo
Member of Parliament for Port Moody-Coquitlam NDP Critic for Infrastructure and Communities
Cc: Canada Energy Regulator Encl.

MEDIA RELEASE: Jagmeet and the NDP deliver results that will save many Canadians up to $1,700

OTTAWA – The budget released on Tuesday shows how Canada’s NDP leader Jagmeet Singh and New Democrats have used their power to deliver results for Canadians at a time where people desperately need help with the cost-of-living. With another doubling of the GST rebate and dental care for children under 18, people living with a disability and seniors, millions of Canadians are going to save $1,700.

“Today’s budget shows that when New Democrats use our power, we get real things done for people,” said Singh. “This is a difficult time for Canadians. The cost of everything is up. That’s why we fought for a budget that saves you money and creates good jobs with better wages. Justin Trudeau voted against dental care twice and he didn’t want to double the GST rebate, but we didn’t take no for an answer. We fought and we got those things for working people. And if Pierre Poilievre had his way in this budget, there would be no dental care. Your pension, and the services that your family relies on would be cut to benefit the big bosses.”

Canadian Press: Budget 2023: Liberals follow through on big promises in deal with NDP

OTTAWA -  The Liberal government has continued to fulfil its promises to the NDP within its second federal budget since the parties struck a confidence-and-supply agreement in March 2022.

New Democrats have agreed to prop up the minority government on key votes, including budgets, until June 2025 in exchange for movement on shared priorities.
Here are the key NDP-approved initiatives that were penned into the agreement and made it into this year's budget:

IN THE NEWS: National Observer - MPs raise concerns over pipeline construction obstructing salmon run

The NDP’s fisheries critic Lisa Marie Barron, house leader Peter Julian, infrastructure and communities critic Bonita Zarrillo and Vancouver East MP Jenny Kwan signed an open letter raising concerns about the impact pipeline construction is having on the early salmon run.
The letter asks the ministers for Fisheries and Oceans, Environment, Natural Resources and Crown-Indigenous Relations to “intervene and halt construction of the TMX pipeline expansion,” adding the future health of wild Pacific salmon species may depend on their action.
The federal NDP opposes the Liberal government’s purchase of the Trans Mountain pipeline and the expansion project, though Leader Jagmeet Singh has not said whether the party would cancel it.

NDP Media Release: Liberals continue to spend billions in Trans Mountain Pipeline funding

Instead of taking the necessary action to save lives and ensure Canada meets its climate targets, the Liberals continue to throw billions of dollars at big oil companies. Yesterday, the Liberals announced $10 billion in public funding for the Trans Mountain Pipeline. This is the newest funding in a long line of examples where the Liberals have handed over public money to companies who are already making big profits – making it impossible for us to meet our climate goals. The announcement of the TMX funding comes only a few months after the Liberals promised that no more public money would be thrown at the Trans Mountain Pipeline – yet they continue to make people pay.

Instead of creating a long-overdue plan that would support our communities and help workers transition to a green economy, the Liberals continue with their failed approach. Despite evidence from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) that more action is urgently needed – this past month the Liberals also approved Bay du Nord, a massive $12 billion new fossil fuel project. This needs to stop.

Latest posts

Are you ready to take action?

Constituent Resources
Mobile Offices
Contact Jenny

Sign up for updates