4000 Reasons Not to Build the Northern Gateway Pipeline

2. What was the original inspiration for the 4000 Reasons film? And can you explain the film's title?

The film is a snap-shot of the two-day 4000 Reasons Festival, an event that was planned by our directors over a nine-month period.  In keeping with our mandate, we wanted to use the arts to draw attention to the beauty of this area and the threat to it posed by this pipeline.

The title is a response to Minister of Natural Resources Joe Oliver’s statement that over 4000 people were ‘clogging’ the system by registering to appear before the Joint Review Panel.  We got the idea for this title from a festival performer who said that if 4000 people were going to speak to the panel that would be 4000 reasons to not build the pipeline.

3. What do people in your community feel is threatened by Enbridge's Northern Gateway Pipeline?

The Skeena watershed (the Bulkley River is one tributary) is one of the few large watersheds in North America that is still intact.  The people in our community are most concerned about the quality of water in our river and the threat to our wild salmon stocks that this pipeline poses.  Our wild salmon resource supports a healthy and attractive lifestyle, a resource that is a significant economic factor in attracting people from all over the world.

4. Do the people in your community feel like their voices are being heard by Enbridge?

I think people feel that despite the cynicism about the effectiveness of the Joint Review Panel process, the chance to speak to something about which they are passionate has been a unifying and positive thing.  I also think people are hoping to influence the decision makers (JRP and the Federal Government) rather than Enbridge.

5. 4000 Reasons features a lot of creative expression from pipeline opponents. What is the value of artistry in a battle that seems dominated by political ideas of economy?

While economic arguments are important they are often incomplete and don’t take into account quality of life issues that are often overlooked in deciding the validity of industrial proposals.  The artistry seen in this film flows from the performers strong emotional connection to place.  I think the value of an artistic presentation is that it can reach a different and more diverse audience than a simple economic argument can.

6. Do you feel average Canadians understand what the concerns of British Columbians are?

It’s hard to say, although this issue has certainly gained a lot of national and international attention.  I think the message that this is about First Nations rights, wild salmon rivers and a pristine coastline has been received by most Canadians.