After the National Energy Board’s (NEB) approval of the reversal of Enbridge’s Line 9B in 2014, North York residents have been standing in support of the Chippewas of the Thames First Nations (COTTFN) as they faced the Supreme Court of Canada to contest the decision Nov. 30. 

The controversial pipeline runs through Wards 10, 23 and 24 in North York and is situated within metres of the Finch subway station. As a result of the reversal, the line has been back in operation since December 2015. Many residents were disappointed over the decision.

“I was concerned because of the lack of public consultation and the structural integrity of the line. During the 2013 NEB review process, hundreds of cracks and corrosion were revealed in the pipeline,” said Marilyn Eriksen, a member of Stop Line 9 Toronto’s advisory panel since 2013 and a North York resident.

Eriksen also cited Enbridge’s track record as a major cause for concern as the company has seen a number of spills. 

“If a rupture were to happen in Toronto it could [cost] billions of dollars in damage to infrastructure such as subways,” Eriksen said. 

Patrick DeRochie, program manager at advocacy group Environmental Defence, echoed her concern.

“This is a pipeline that carries 300,000 barrels of tar sands oil across some of the most densely populated areas of Ontario. It also crosses a number of rivers, including the Humber River and Rouge River,” he said.

Several fundraising events have been held in Toronto to help COTTFN with legal costs, including Performance in Protest, held at Buddies in Bad Times Theatre in November. The event was hosted by Rising Tide Toronto (RTT), an advocacy group for indigenous rights and environmental issues. 

“In the Toronto area for the past few months, activists have raised around $20,000 plus an unknown number of donors from Toronto who have given directly to COTTFN,” said Morgan Johnson, lead organizer of the event.

Green Peace Canada is organized shuttle buses from Toronto to Ottawa for the COTTFN on Nov. 30. 

Enbridge was unavailable for comment at press time.