Recent North York protests have raised concerns about Enbridge Inc.’s controversial proposal to reverse a crude oil transmission line buried along the Finch Avenue hydro corridor.
Protesters claim that the crude pipeline, known as Line 9, may soon be pumping bitumen from the controversial Alberta tar sands, opposed by some First Nations and environmental groups. Some locals raised concerns that the pipe crosses area drinking water sources and may pose a serious threat to Toronto residents if broken.
According to Alberta-based Enbridge, its 860-kilometre Line 9 pipeline transports 250,000 barrels per day (BPD) of light crude oil from Montreal to Sarnia, through Toronto. In 2011, the company proposed to increase the line’s capacity to 300,000 BPD as well as reverse its direction in order to transport oil eastward. It has succeeded in reversing a section between Sarnia and Hamilton, but the Toronto section is next.
Gerry Dunn, facilitator of the Stop Line 9 Toronto initiative and the North York protests, claimed that the line will funnel diluted bitumen, or heavy crude oil thinned with chemicals. Dunn claimed this “dilbit” (diluted bitumen) is riskier to transport than light crude oil because it is full of corrosive chemicals that can lead to higher rates of leakage.
“The cost to clean this up would be so massive,” he said. “It’s out of proportion with any benefits that come.”
Enbridge spokesperson Graham White, refuting Dunn’s claim, said dilbit is not more corrosive to pipelines than medium or light crude oils. White added that the pipeline, which can be shut down within three minutes, would only ship a small proportion of heavy crude — let alone tar sands dilbit — because its customers are primarily light crude refineries.
Councillor for the Yonge-Finch area, John Filion, said the City of Toronto cannot do much to affect the proposal’s outcome. Nonetheless, he asked city staff to assess local safety risks, his primary concern.
Dunn expects to organize a local public meeting in early April. Meanwhile, protests continue April 7 to 8 in the city’s east and west ends.
