The Salish Sea At A Crossroads: Panel Discussion & Letter Writing
Join us September 14th, 2026 at 6:00 PM (Pacific Time) at 312 Main Street, Vancouver for a panel discussion, letter writing, and community building event.
The Salish Sea and Fraser River Estuary are facing unprecedented threats. Over the past year, sweeping legislative changes mean major projects can now be fast-tracked and approved with minimal environmental oversight or Indigenous consultation.
Today, the federal government intends to make a new pipeline one of those projects, right on the fragile shores of the Fraser River Estuary. A new West Coast Pipeline would destroy vital Chinook salmon habitat, pollute the Salish Sea with underwater noise, increase the likelihood of a catastrophic oil spill, and threaten the long-term health of coastal communities that depend on this ecosystem. It could spell extinction for the Southern Resident killer whales, too.
The Major Projects Office is looking for feedback on whether or not the new West Coast Pipeline should be designated a project of national interest (PONI). If it receives this designation, the pipeline will proceed to construction before it receives any impact assessment. We have until September 18th to submit our feedback, which is why we want to gather as community members to learn, listen, take action, and build hope, together.
At this event, you can expect to learn from a panel of experts, as they discuss topics about the Salish Sea, endangered species, Indigenous rights, building community resilience, and major projects like Roberts Bank Terminal 2 and the new proposed pipeline.
We’ll provide letters for you to write to the Major Projects Office and members of the federal government that we’ll expedite to Ottawa before the feedback submission deadline.
There will be time for snacks, chatting with organizations about how you can get involved, and a giveaway for books, orca pins, and orca cards at the very end!
Panelists:
Chief Jim Hornbrook from Hwlitsum First Nation, Eden Luymes from CPAWS-BC and Candela Cerpa from Stand.earth.
It’s a great chance to learn, connect, and chat with others who care about our planet. Come say hello!