As this past hot, dry, and smoky summer has made abundantly clear — the devastating impacts of climate change are already here, and we need representatives in Ottawa that are going to take the climate crisis seriously, the organization stand.earth says. It argues:

Real climate leadership means understanding that we need to phase out our dependency on oil, not deepen it. And that has to start with cancelling the Trans Mountain pipeline.

It’s not too late to put cancelling this pipeline back on the political agenda — in fact, doing so would free up billions of dollars that could be spent accelerating a just transition for workers and communities in the fossil fuel industry. There are an abundance of reasons it should be cancelled.

Building another fossil fuel pipeline in a climate emergency is like pouring gasoline on a wildfire. The Trans Mountain pipeline also does not have the Free, Prior, and Informed Consent of all impacted communities along the route.

Moreover, the cost of construction for the Trans Mountain pipeline has more than doubled since it was first announced, now reaching over $12 billion. Even the Parliamentary Budget Office has called into question whether the pipeline will be profitable — especially given mounting debts, rising construction costs, and ongoing delays.

If Canada takes the necessary action on climate change, this pipeline will also not be needed to meet forecasted energy demands, according to both the International Energy Agency and the Canadian Energy Regulator.

No candidate who claims to take the climate crisis seriously can support this toxic pipeline.

To sign the pledge, click here.