A Pull Together Timeline
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Nov 2014: Pull Together launched
What started with a spaghetti dinner in Terrace raises almost $350,000 in just over six months. Volunteers from across BC organize 87 community fundraising events, 37 businesses contribute and more than 3,300 individuals donate.
Nov 2016: Enbridge cancelled
After more than a decade of fighting the project at community rallies, shareholder meetings and in the courts, Northern Gateway is finally dead.
Nov 2016: Kinder Morgan/TMX project approved
The Canadian government officially gives the stamp of approval to Kinder Morgan's Trans Mountain expansion. A new round of Pull Together: The People vs. Kinder Morgan, is launched immediately.
May 2018: Canada buys TMX
Incredibly, as Texas oil giant walks away from beleaguered TMX, Canada steps in to use taxpayers money to buy the aging pipeline and finance the expansion project.
August 2018: TMX QUASHED!!
Federal Court of Appeal overturns the Canadian government’s approval of TMX, saying Canada 'fell well short of the mark' on consultation with First Nations. Court orders Canada to go back to the drawing board and redo the approvals process: construction halted.
June 2019: TMX re-approved
Canada announces re-approval of TMX without making significant accommodations of First Nations concerns. Legal experts anticipate a new round of legal challenges to the project could succeed based on inadequate consultation and conflict of interest given Canada (the owner of the pipeline) also acted as consultative and regulatory agent.
July 2019: Indigenous Nations file new cases, Pull Together relaunches
Confident of another win, Tsleil Waututh, Squamish, Goldwater and Secwepmec Nations join forces to Pull Together with concerned citizens and launch legal challenges against TMX. In just one month, $75k is raised.
December 2019: Federal Court of Appeal Hearings
After Week to End Enbridge raises $95k, Tsleil Waututh, Squamish and Coldwater Nations face court with cases against TMX, presenting arguments that Canada failed to adequately consult Indigenous Peoples on the pipeline and tankers project.
February 2020: Federal Court of Appeal ruling
Federal Court of Appeal dismissed significant Indigenous legal challenges to Trans Mountain: a disappointing decision that vitally affects the First Nations on the pipeline and tankers route.
April 2020: Supreme Court here we come!
Nations have already sought leave to appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada, challenging an earlier decision to substantially narrow the scope of the Judicial Review. A filing for leave to appeal the February 2020 Federal Court decision was made April 8, 2020.
July 2020: Supreme Court denies leave to appeal
The Supreme Court’s decision marks the latest chapter in a years-long legal effort led by Indigenous nations working to defend their lands and waters from Trans Mountain. “The journey to defend communities and the environment from TMX has been long and difficult, and despite today’s decision, this journey isn’t over." Eugene Kung, staff lawyer, West Coast Environmental Law
The movement to protect our climate and our communities from the Trans Mountain pipeline and tanker project has incredible momentum. All across the country and around the world, allies are organizing community events, using their online networks to fundraise, and making generous donations — building a people-powered movement in solidarity with powerful Indigenous leaders.