The opposition’s environment critic says the National Energy Board approval of the Trans Mountain pipeline won’t change the already divisive argument much.

“I don’t think you will see a whole lot of movement between groups who want to see it move forward and groups who do not. I would say that is true whether you are indigenous or not indigenous.”

Peter Milobar says the NEB was clear the Salish Sea and the southern resident killer whales are in big trouble whether the Trans Mountain pipeline is built or not.

“I think that is what people have been saying all along. Right now in B.C.’s case we have a Premier that has no problem going to Washington State to cozy up to governor who would love to see our resource stay landlocked and not on the world market. At the same time the Governor of Washington and the Premier talk about restricting any other shipping in our area they have non-stop flow of tankers coming down our coast line from Alaska to Washington State.”

Milobar says the issues with the Salish Sea go well beyond any increase in oil tanker traffic due to the Trans Mountain pipeline.

“There seems to be a bit of contradiction there. You have BC Ferries on the same day announcing a wack of new routes and new volume happening in terms of impact there. Ferries are mentioned in the NEB ruling.”

The federal government now has 90 days to render its decision on the Trans Mountain.