Activists from the U.S. and Canada rally against Trans Mountain expansion

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On Sunday morning, a group of American activists known for opposing nuclear weapons and military spending brought their message to Burrard Inlet in British Columbia. The group, Veterans for Peace, arrived aboard their sailboat, the Golden Rule, and joined local paddlers in a protest against the Trans Mountain Pipeline Expansion project.
Docking at Cates Park, the Americans were welcomed by Charlene Aleck, a councillor with the Tsleil-Waututh Nation. Aleck praised the activists for their commitment, saying, "Using your voice in this way is so important and it's so needed. Especially in this climate devastation that we're in."

After their welcome, local protesters voiced their concerns about the Trans Mountain Expansion project, which is now operational. Many of them had been actively protesting the pipeline throughout its planning and construction phases. Tim Takaro, one of the protesters, explained why they continued to protest despite the pipeline's completion: "A lot of people ask: Why are we here? The pipeline is already built. It's upwards of $35 billion to get this far. But it's finished, so why bother protesting it? Because we have to protect the inlet. We have to protect the planet."

The Veterans for Peace have been travelling along the coast of British Columbia and Washington state in recent weeks, using their sailboat to spread their message of a nuclear-free world and a sustainable future. Helen Jaccard, a member of the group, emphasized the importance of sustainability: "Our motto is, we are sailing for a nuclear-free world and a peaceful, sustainable future, and sustainable is what is important today."

Following their dockside remarks, the protesters in kayaks and canoes paddled across Burrard Inlet toward the TMX terminal in Burnaby, while the Golden Rule sailed alongside the facility's perimeter. The protest was closely monitored by several RCMP officers in boats and a Canadian Coast Guard zodiac.