March 28, 2015, Vancouver Coast Salish Territories – A demonstration through the downtown core today shattered the myth that Vancouver is on the path to becoming the “greenest city in the world.” Indigenous leaders and members of communities directly impacted by Canadian resource extraction projects led a march of 300 people past some of the dozens of extractive corporations that call Vancouver home. “If Vancouver wants to be the greenest city in the world, it should take a lesson from countries like Costa Rica, provinces in Argentina, El Salvador and others, and take a strong stand against the extractivist model and especially against open-pit mining”, said Miguel Mijango from the Mexican Network of People Affected by Mining (REMA). “The greenest communities are those who are defending their lands and water in resistance to mining and other mega-projects.” The Toxic Tour stopped at the sites of some of Vancouver’s worst extractive corporate offenders, including Imperial Metals, Petronas, Chevron, China Gold, El Dorado, Goldcorp and Barrick Gold. The tour emphasized resistance to Vancouver-based corporations operating both on unceded North American territories and abroad. "Indigenous people have faced toxicity in mind spirit body and emotions since first contact, almost immediately. We also experienced the complete and utter destruction of our lands and waters, ” said Xhopakelxhit ~ Ancestral Pride. “Resource extraction and its toxic legacy have been the driving force behind genocide for over 500 years.” At LNG corporation Chevron’s service station, Gitxsan nation and Luutkudziiwus House member Richard Wright spoke about the Madii Lii Camp, which is blocking TransCanada's proposed Prince Rupert Gas Transmission (PRGT) fracked gas pipeline route. “Fracked gas pipelines and LNG terminals in the Skeena Estuary will pose too great a threat to the salmon that the Gitxsan people have relied upon since time immemorial”, said Wright. “We have prohibited any LNG pipelines from passing through our territories. We are here because the time of stealing from our people has come to an end, and we will ensure that rightful land management returns to its original holders and the oppression stops." “In every corner of the world, communities affected by Canadian extractive projects report conflict, environmental devastation, water toxicity and scarcity, violations of indigenous rights, violent repression and other human rights abuses,” said Mining Justice Alliance spokesperson Beth Dollaga. “But instead of regulating extractive practices, Canada's government actively assists extractive corporations with tax breaks, subsidies, lax stock market regulations, diplomatic support, and immunity from prosecution for abuses overseas.” Extractive Industries and Voices of Resistance: A Toxic Tour of Vancouver featured speakers, testimonies, drumming, music and poetry as it made its way from the Art Gallery through Vancouver’s business district. The Tour was organized to coincide with the State of Extraction Conference, which is being held at Simon Fraser University.

• published: 17 Apr 2015
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