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The Voice reports on yoga memberships, which have become the newest and hottest gift for the holiday season

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Protesters march on Nov. 19 from Vancouver City Hall to Cambie Street opposing the Kinder-Morgan Pipeline.

Protesters to spill into streets

Activists are preparing for protests against the pipeline approval

By EMELIE PEACOCK

nti-pipeline activists and First Nations groups say the fight to stop pipeline expansion isn’t over, despite federal approval of the polemical Kinder Morgan project.

In Ottawa, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the significant economic benefits of the pipeline expansion, which runs from Alberta to B.C., could not be ignored.

Protesters who have been adamant that the environmental costs outweigh the economic benefits say they won’t give up the fight. Chief Bob Chamber- lin, vice-president of the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs, said First Nations groups and activists will take their opposition to the streets.

“Trudeau is going to find out what

social licence actually looks like and feels like, both on the streets and in the courts,” Chamberlin said.

First announced in 2012, the Kinder Morgan Trans Mountain Expansion Project aims to build a 1,150 km pipe- line to transport oil from Edmonton to Burnaby.

Rodrigo Samayoa, environmental campaigner with Leadnow, said groups across the Lower Mainland are orga- nizing to mount protest actions. “You will see Standing Rock 2.0 to be hon- est,” said Samayoa. “First Nations are starting to organize, communities are starting to organize.” While several First Nations communities are sup- porting Kinder Morgan, others are fun- damentally opposed. The Tsleil-Wau- tuth Nation, whose traditional territory encompasses the city of Vancouver and

Burnaby, is clear that despite the prime minister’s approval Tuesday, opposi- tion to the pipeline is not done.

“lm standing here telling you I’m still opposing the project. ’'m making decisions for my grandchildren that are in the best way 30 years from now,” said Charlene Aleck, elected council for the Tsleil-Waututh Nation.

Gavin McGarrigle, BC Area Director for Unifor, a Canadian union represent- ing the workers of a Chevron oil refin- ery, said he doubts the pipeline will ever be built.

“We don’t see it ever getting built be- cause we think there are ... lots of peo- ple in British Columbia who will do anything it takes to make sure this doesn’t go ahead.”

LAUREN

AP ENG BOOTHBY photo

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You will see Stand- ing Rock 2.0, to be honest

RODRIGO SAMAYOA

LEADNOW ENVIRONMENT CAMPAIGNER

Businesses may tank

City councillor puts mo- tion forward to oppose natural gas as a form of affordable energy

By ALYSE KOTYK

businesses are at risk after Van-

couver city council decided to phase out natural gas in new homes and businesses by 2030.

The program is part of the city’s Zero Emissions Building Plan that aims to reduce emissions from new homes and businesses by switching to electricity.

Mike Powell, a fireplace dealer for Miles Industries, said gas appliance dealers weren’t consulted and are against the move. The move will result in job losses in the industry and the supply chain, according to him.

“We feel this program is premature,” he said. “It’s going to result in in- creased energy costs for new home- owners and renovators in Vancouver,” he said.

Opposition NPA city councillor, Me- lissa De Genova wants to make an amendment to the Zero Emissions Re- port to include natural gas ias an ac- ceptable form of affordable energy.

“I do support the renewable city strategy,” De Genova said. “We need to balance that out with affordability at the same time.”

De Genova said that renewable en- ergy sources can be unaffordable for many residents.

Vancouver resident and homeowner Deanna Hansen said she supports the progression towards renewable energy but still prefers to cook with gas in her home.

“T like cooking a lot and I just find cooking with a gas stove is just so much nicer,” Hansen said. “But I’m all for do- ing everything we can to not waste re- sources.”

CG: appliance retailers say their

City shelter options dwindling

Vancouver’s homeless struggle to find a place to stay for the winter

By CHERYL WHITING

ith winter approaching and Wires filled to capacity, some

housing activists are question- ing why the city of Vancouver is dis- mantling tent cities.

Last Thursday, Nov. 24, police moved in to dismantle a tent city at 58 W Hast- ings Street. Some residents moved to Thornton Park, which was then pulled down on Friday, leaving people with fewer options and filling up shelters.

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Maria Wallstam, an organizer with Alliance Against Displacement, said tent cities provide stability for the homeless who have a place to keep their belongings.

“There’s community, people look out for each other’s things and look out for each other,” Wallstam said. “If there are overdoses, people are constantly saving each other’s lives as well.”

With tent cities being dismantled, Wallstam said people are now hiding out under bridges and back alleys.

Last Thursday, Nov. 24, police moved in to dismantle a tent city at 58 W Hast- ings Street. Some residents moved to Thornton Park, which was then pulled down on Friday.

Johnny M, 34, stayed at the tent city

on Hastings Street before it was dis- mantled last Thursday. He moved to Thornton Park, but police forcibly re- moved him and others there.

He said police nor the city offered any transition support to the tent city residents. “They just told us to go toa shelter,” he said. A few people are still stuck on the streets and stuff. You’d think we'd have a place by now. “

Vancouver Area Network of Drug Users was able to store some of John- ny’s belongings. But he said it’s not a permanent solution and he’s still seek- ing a place to call home.

Wallstam said people who lose their spots in tent cities and can’t find space in the shelter lose their sense of stabil- ity.

SEAN HITREC photo Tents are set up under the Georgia viaduct in the down- town skate plaza.