Citizen Letter to an MP — Uphold the Northcoast Oil Tanker Moratorium (Bill C-48)

PUBLIC CALL TO ACTION 

Dear Friends, Neighbours, and Community Members,

The North Coast of British Columbia is one of the most ecologically rich, culturally significant, and irreplaceable coastlines in Canada. Our salmon rivers, wildlife, forests, and communities rely on clean water, healthy ecosystems, and a stable, resilient marine environment. I’m writing today because a major political development could put all of that at risk.

There is increasing pressure to weaken or even remove the tanker moratorium (Bill C-48) that currently protects the North Coast from large-scale crude and bitumen tanker traffic. On Thursday, November 27, the federal government and Alberta are expected to announce an MOU outlining a pipeline project that would move Alberta bitumen to the Northern BC coast. Early indications suggest this agreement may include exemptions from key federal environmental regulations potentially including the Bill C-48 tanker ban itself.

The environmental risks of transporting diluted bitumen on this coastline are uniquely severe. Unlike conventional oil, bitumen sinks. Once in the water, it binds to sediment, coats estuaries and salmon streams, and becomes nearly impossible to recover. Even a single spill could have devastating, long-lasting consequences for communities, fisheries, salmon populations, wildlife, and the broader coastal economy.

This is a moment when public voices matter. I’m asking you to take just a few minutes this week to contact Members of Parliament (Contacts below) and urge them to maintain the North Coast oil tanker moratorium. This protection exists for a reason, it reflects decades of community advocacy, scientific evidence, and hard-learned lessons about the vulnerability of this coastline.

Your voice is powerful. Decisions like this are shaped when people speak up, especially those who know and love this place. 

Thank you for taking a moment to stand up for the coast we all share.

Citizen Letter to an MP — Uphold the Northcoast Oil Tanker Moratorium (Bill C-48)

Dear [MP Name],

I’m writing to you today as a citizen who cares deeply about the North Coast of British Columbia and the communities, ecosystems, and economies that depend on it. I’m reaching out because I’m concerned about recent political momentum toward weakening or possibly removing the tanker moratorium on the (Bill C-48) which currently protects the north coast region from large-scale bitumen tanker traffic.

As you know, the North Coast is not only one of the most dangerous coastlines in the world, it’s also one of the most ecologically significant places in Canada. Its salmon rivers, estuaries, marine life, and coastal communities rely on clean water and intact ecosystems. A large oil or bitumen spill in this area would have widespread, long-lasting, and in some cases irreversible consequences.

The risks associated with transporting diluted bitumen are particularly concerning. Unlike conventional oil, bitumen sinks. Once submerged, it binds to sediment, coats salmon streams and shorelines, and becomes nearly impossible to recover. A single incident could threaten wildlife, food security, fisheries, tourism, and community well-being for decades.

I’m asking you, as my elected representative, to defend this essential piece of legislation and to advocate strongly for keeping the tanker moratorium in place. This protection was created through years of evidence, public consultation, and hard-won lessons about the vulnerability of this coastline. Removing or weakening it now would put one of Canada’s most culturally and ecologically important regions at unnecessary risk.

Thank you for your time, and for your commitment to representing our province.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Community / Town]

Members of Parliament contact info:

Riding	Name	Email
South Surrey – White Rock	Ernie Klassen	[email protected]
Vancouver Fraserview – South Burnaby	Gregor Robertson	[email protected]
Fleetwood – Port Kells	Gurbux Saini	[email protected]
Vancouver Center	Hedy Fry	[email protected]
New Westminster – Burnaby Maillarville	Jake Sawatzky	[email protected]
Delta	Jill Mcknight	[email protected]
North Vancouver	Jonathan Wilkinson	[email protected]
Richmond East	Parm Bains	[email protected]
West Vancouver	Patrick Weiler	[email protected]
Surrey Centre	Randeep Sarai	[email protected]
Coquitlam	Ron McKinnon	[email protected]
Esquimalt	Stephanie McLean	[email protected]
Kelowna	Steve Fuhr	[email protected]
Surrey Newton	Sukh Dhaliwal	[email protected]
Vancouver Granville	Taleeb Noormohamed	[email protected]
Burnaby North	Terry Beech	[email protected]
Burnaby Central	Wade Change	[email protected]
Vancouver Quadra	Wade Grant	[email protected]
Victoria	Will Greaves	[email protected]
Port Moody	Zoe Royer	[email protected]