After the "debate", has your opinion been strengthened or changed? Which side are you on? Why do you believe your side is the right choice? Make sure to support your argument!
14 Comments
Arash T.
1/23/2013 11:22:40 am
Despite my agressive temper and the fact that i may have chosen the winning side in class (Lucas' Team), My true and self opinion on this issue is against.
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Lucas
1/23/2013 11:37:59 am
ok, so i agree with what Arash is saying, this new age of technology will soon overcome the need for oil and for gas but the transition will take time, in my opinion it would be better for the Canadian Government to install the pipeline, but in the end we must acknowledge what is best for the people, and so i must advise against it for these reasons
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Arash T.
1/23/2013 11:44:48 am
Despite the fact that oil is abundant and an advantage in where I come from, you're absolutely right, it is not for Canada, maybe perhaps for Asia, where the spills/effects might cooperate better than in the lush, feritle and natural lands of BC. I really liked the things you mentioned in the economical section of your comment, great job
Jeffrey
1/23/2013 11:41:02 am
The Northern Gateway proposal raises expectations of jobs and economic development. But it brings high anxiety to those who worry about the pipeline's passage through the Great Bear Rainforest. Enbridge Pipelines has been building, operating and maintaining liquid pipelines for over 60 years, and gas lines for more than a century, but although many argue that the project is a bad idea because it goes through uninhabited land in British Columbia. There is no reason that the Northern Gateway Project shouldn't go forward. It helps British Columbia by providing jobs, it helps Canada by producing money to go towards schools, highways and so on. All those things have to get paid for some how. Justin Trudeau said that Enbridge Pipelines has to put forward a better plan that doesn't effect the ecosystems in anyway. I dont see how the project will effect the ecosystems in anyway if the pipeline is put in properly and is managed. The Northern Gateway project is all about gain weather its in terms of money or jobs.
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Lucas
1/23/2013 11:44:53 am
ok, so thats opp, now its time to focus on the government side of things
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Lucas
1/23/2013 11:45:49 am
some of the previous comment was cut off, haha it was too long
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Arash T.
1/23/2013 11:58:31 am
Ok.... Your points are mostly correct and completely respectful, although as mentioned in my comment, The First comment posted, it clearly states with proof that the Asian demand oil has been terminated, since its allies, as well various trade partners have already provided them with ready oil. Perhaps the demand was made again but the point is not a strong one, as of the pipeline is finished in 2017 the demand might long be over. Also, an emergency team in preparation is not enough to prevent the imminent threat of a spill, what they have to change is the current/modern technology on working with oil or to set it aside completely. If Enbridge spent 5 billion dollars towards this project and billions towards the saftey of the pipeline as you clearly mentioned, then with there income estimated to being around 2 billion in 30 years tie, what have the company got to gain and why are they going through with it?And yes, Northern Gateway Pipeline will run from Bruderheim Alberta, to Kitimat British Columbia, but the real important point is, what's in between, A forest? A reserve or stream perhaps an ecosystem full of endangered creatures? I will now stop because my arm is getting tired but very good points, They are definitley very hard to debate against. Good job man, and nice job having an unbiased opinion
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Lucas
1/23/2013 12:08:15 pm
well, it just shows you how hard embridge is tying to ensure that a spill doesn't happen, i had an endless list of safety precautions so i decided to not post them all because everyone gets the idea
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Arash T.
1/23/2013 12:18:32 pm
True that, true that
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Conor Kenney
1/23/2013 12:24:09 pm
After the debate in class my opinion about the pipeline is still undecided. I acknowledge that both sides have strong reasons to support their argument. Although I would not be able to make a definite decision on this matter just yet I personally believe that the pipeline is ultimately unnecessary as Canada already has a stable growing economy and is already one of the largest contributors of greenhouse emissions. The promise of new jobs may seem tempting especially if Enbridge is promising those jobs to aboriginals. However, Enbridge so far has proven to be untrustworthy as we saw in the video about the misleading size of the canal. With this reputation I would not trust Enbridge to give any of these temporary or permanent jobs to aboriginals when they could easily give them to skilled workers for the same cost. Skilled workers would also be a logical preference for the environmentalists since unskilled workers are likely to make mistakes on the pipeline. Like I said my opinion is still subject to change as I am undecided on building the pipeline.
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Tansy
1/23/2013 01:02:25 pm
The Canadian oil and gas company, Enbridge, has proposed the Northern Gateway project to allow selling Alberta’s oil to China and other countries in the Far East to become easier. After researching and debating in class, I still believe that the Northern Gateway project will bring more disadvantages than advantages to the country. From the article read in class, I learned that the National Energy Board estimated that large pipelines experience a spill every 16 years for every 1000 kilometers pipeline. Although the data indicates that Enbridge pipelines rarely cause any oil spill, the estimation did not promise to eliminate any possible accidents. Moreover, extracting oil sands from the Earth with obviously pollutes the air and water. Large amount of greenhouse gases will also be released, which will potentially destroy many animal habitats and threatens the health of surrounding communities. Some insisted that the project is beneficial, because it can bring many job opportunities, such as 3000 construction s and 1000 manufacturing and maintenance positions. However, they are oblivious to the fact that these jobs are only temporary. There are many opportunities in Canada for the ones who are unemployed at the moment. Nonetheless, the total tax revenue for the project will approximately be $2.6 billion, which is less than the money spent on the pipelines. Canada is one of the most developed nations and Canada is the ninth highest per capita income globally, so the $ 270 billion Gross Domestic Product over 30 years will not affect the country so significantly. If the Northern Gateway sneaks the two pipelines through hundreds of salmon-bearing rivers, streams and 50 First Nations territories, then any leakage would damage the ecosystem. Furthermore, bitumen sinks, so if any accident occurs, cleaning up will become extremely difficult. The number of marine lives that can potentially die from an oil spill accident is devastating. Overall, the Enbridge project should be compromised and Canada can make the economy better by strengthening agricultural and manufacturing industries.
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Morgan McCord
1/23/2013 01:36:38 pm
Tansy , I like your ideas and agree strongly with them. You backed up your points very well and explained how this pipeline will be more work and money then sucsess that comes out of it.
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Lisa Yang
1/23/2013 01:16:21 pm
I did not participate in the debate today, however, I strongly believe that theNorthern Gateway Pipeline should not be built. Many reasons support my argument against this issue.
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Michael Knowles
1/23/2013 02:13:36 pm
After the heated debate last class, I still strongly believe that the Enbridge Northern Gateway project should not continue due to the potential distraction of pristine northern British Columbian forests, rivers, and mountains. We should take this threat to the environment in which we live seriously because of this company's history and its affiliations with numerous different oil spills throughout the past couple of decades.
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