Liu Institute for Global Issues

The Northern Gateway pipeline proposal has struck a raw nerve in Canadian politics. This talk will explore the forces contributing to the depth and breadth of the controversy. The characteristics of the problem – the disparity in the risk-benefit ratio between British Columbia and Alberta – are undoubtedly the root cause of the controversy. But it has emerged at a time in Canadian politics when the underlying political structures are essentially unstable. Tactical choices by strategic actors in the dispute have also fanned the flames, as have pipeline incidents and investigations. The dispute also seems to have tapped into a deeper identity crisis about what kind of nation we are.

Professor George Hoberg specializes in environmental and natural resource policy and governance. He received a BS from UC Berkeley, and his PhD from MIT. A political scientist by training, Dr Hoberg taught public policy and American politics at UBC for 13 years before joining the Faculty of Forestry full time in 2001. His research interests include energy policy, forest policy, and more generally the design of policies and institutions to promote sustainability. From 2001-2006, he was head of the Department of Forest Resources Management at UBC.

Will Horter, Executive Director of Dogwood Initiative, received his law degree Summa Cum Laude from the University of California, after completing a B.A from Dartmouth College in New Hampshire where he majored in Anthropology and Third World studies. Prior to being called to the B.C. Bar in 1995, Will worked extensively as a community and labour organizer around the world. He also serves on the board of numerous international, national and provincial non-profits. For more information on Dogwood Initiative, please visit http://dogwoodinitiative.org/.

Download the event poster here.

Hosted by the Liu Institute's Earth Governance Group, with the Department of Sociology and Department of Political Science.