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Anti-tanker bill vote coming

Skeena - Bulkley Valley MP Nathan Cullen will soon know the fate of his bill that would keep oil tankers off the North Coast.

Skeena - Bulkley Valley MP Nathan Cullen will soon know the fate of his bill that would keep oil tankers off the North Coast.

“The bill is up for debate this month and will be up for a vote at the end of next month. That is the timeline I have been given” said Cullen of his Act to Defend the Pacific Northwest.

While Cullen has been going around the province to meet with people and discuss the bill and what it entails, including a stop in Powell River on Feb. 13, he acknowledges there are still challenges ahead before the act receives approval.

“The support for it has been strong. I have the support of the Green Party, the Liberals and independents, now the focus is on the 10 Conservatives we need to get support from,” he said, adding his target has been Conservatives who hold a seat in B.C.

“I have been in a lot of their ridings and the support for this has been overwhelming ... now the goal is to get 10,000 signatures from constituents to encourage their MPs to support the bill.”

Along with banning oil tankers, the Act to Defend the Pacific Northwest would make the National Energy Board give greater weight to public feedback on proposed projects.