Saanich council threw its support behind a motion Monday night which read that the expansion of oil tanker traffic should stay away from the B.C. coast.
The motion was brought forward by Coun. Vicki Sanders, chair of the environmental advisory committee. She said adding more tankers transporting unrefined oil to California and Asia along the West coast will raise the risk of a disaster impacting this community.
"Saanich's goal, as stated in the community plan, is to be a sustainable community where a healthy environment is recognized as paramount for ensuring social wellbeing and economic vibrancy, for current and future generations," she said.
"Oil tanker expansions clearly don't serve this goal."
The motion asks that the Union of B.C. Municipalities oppose all projects that would lead to tanker traffic expansion, and that the UBCM urge provincial and federal politicians to stop the expansion.
kslavin@saanichnews.com