Kinder Morgan is scheduled to hold an information session in Chilliwack later this month on the proposed pipeline expansion project.
A spokesperson for the company did not return a call for more details, but according to the Trans Mountain website, the Chilliwack session will be held Nov. 27 at the Best Western Rainbow Country Inn. The event is scheduled to start at 5 p.m., according to the website.
Meanwhile, earlier information sessions held in communities east of Chilliwack are drawing criticism from opponents of the plan to expand the pipeline that runs from the Alberta oil sands, through the Fraser Valley, and on to ocean ports in Vancouver.
Critics said the information sessions are not true community consultation, but a company spokesperson said the format allows individuals to ask representatives at the sessions questions they might feel too intimidated to ask in front of a crowd of opponents to the project.
PIPE UP Network spokesman Mike Hale said the group is “not optimistic” the information session in Chilliwack will shed much light on “the realities of tar sands exports.”
“Kinder Morgan seems to be on a ‘transmit’ rather than ‘receive’ in their communications these days,” he said, about the info session format, adding “this is not to be confused with consultation.”
PIPE UP members will attend the Chilliwack session to provide a different point of view on the expansion proposal.
rfreeman@theprogress.com
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