In the event of a catastrophic oil spill, Canadian taxpayers would bear the bill should Enbridge’s Northern Gateway pipeline be approved.
This Jan. 11 finding, by a second-year law student with the Environmental Law Centre, has been confirmed by Enbridge as being “right on the money,” said Calvin Sandborn, the centre's legal director.
“We’re having a real impact,” said Sandborn.
Under his guidance, his students are influencing the way the region manages storm water. They’ve also have called for full public hearings by an independent panels of experts in the examination of both the Victoria International Marina and the Fanny Bay coal mind proposal.
Sandborn, who has also authored many books, was honoured by the city Wednesday night for his work in education and the environment. He is one of 14 people to become honorary citizens.
The award ceremony takes place every three years to acknowledge contributions in a number of areas, including arts and culture, leadership and multiculturalism.
Since September, Sandborn has taken on 23 cases.
While most clients can’t pay, the work is important to level the playing field, Sandborn said.
“You have very well funded corporate interest pushing in one direction and it’s important to have the public to have some resources to ensure we don’t get really one-sided decisions,” he said.
Other award recipients are Deedrie Dawn Ballard, Ronald Butlin, Gordy Dodd, Jeneece Alexandra Edroff, Max Halber, Clara Halber, Alan James Hodgson, Ted and Helen Hughes, Chief Tony Hunt, Wendy Morton, Richard Nakamura and Bernadette Pauly.
rholmen@vicnews.com