Trans Mountain says no one is available for an interview about its controversial new "community contribution agreement" with the City of Burnaby but states the deal is part of a "transparent and open public relationship around issues of public safety and emergency management."
In the agreement, signed during a closed-door meeting earlier this month, the two parties agreed to work together on emergency management, and Trans Mountain agreed to pay $20.1 million over the next 21 years to help enhance the city's emergency response program.
The deal has been criticized because it also contains clauses prohibiting city staff from making any negative public statements about Trans Mountain or its facilities, including its two Burnaby terminals, which tripled in capacity with the recently completed Trans Mountain expansion.
Democracy Watch called the deal "dangerously undemocratic," and the Green Party of Canada said it "effectively silences" the city, which has been a vocal critic of the expansion of the Trans Mountain pipeline and tank farms for the last 10 years.
The Burnaby NOW sent Trans Mountain an email on Oct. 8 requesting an interview. Communications coordinator Nathan Thompson responded eight days later saying no one was available.
Here is that email exchange:
NOW (Tuesday, Oct. 8):
Hi folks. I'm hoping someone might be made available for an interview about the community contribution agreement recently signed with the City of Burnaby.
My main question really comes down to why the agreement contains clauses restricting city staff from speaking publicly about Trans Mountain.
The fact that both parties are bound by these restrictions notwithstanding, people are interpreting this as quid pro quo: Trans Mountain paying money and agreeing to collaborate on public safety in exchange for the city not making negative public statements. Comments?
Trans Mountain (Wednesday, Oct. 16):
Sorry for the delay, unfortunately no one is available for an interview.
For more than 70 years, Trans Mountain has been proud to work and operate in Burnaby, safely moving oil through our pipeline system, including storage at our Burnaby Terminal and loading tankers at our Westridge Marine Terminal.
Trans Mountain and the City of Burnaby have a shared and mutual interest in public safety, including enhancing emergency services in the region and recognize that a transparent and open public relationship around issues of public safety and emergency management is required so that the citizens, the environment and the properties are protected.
The agreement refers to sharing any public announcement about the agreement in advance to seek approval of each other. These are formal, pre-planned communications. This has nothing to do with time-sensitive, emergency communications. In an emergency situation, Trans Mountain’s and the City of Burnaby’s priority would be to issue reliable information to the public as quickly as possible.
Follow Cornelia Naylor on X/Twitter @CorNaylor
Email [email protected]
