Verity Howarth and a group of concerned Maple Ridge citizens were part of the day-long protest in Victoria on Monday against the proposed Northern Gateway pipeline.

Howarth, who is with the Fraser Valley Pipeline Watch Group, said she is concerned about the possibility of tanker spills and toxic gases from a bitumen spill.

In the event of a tanker spill, Howarth said the Fraser River and the health of the salmon would be at risk.

In addition, more focus should be put on finding alternative energy sources and not on tarsands, Howarth added.

“Incentives/subsidies to create green-economy jobs could actually benefit business in Maple Ridge and create local jobs,” Howarth said. “With the current situation, we are sending more and more of our workers to the tarsands. I know of four families this year where the dad has started commuting to Northern Alberta to work.”