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Christ Church hosts documentary screening

The film explores the impacts of the growing oil industry

Christ Church is screening the award-winning documentary “White Water, Black Gold” this Saturday.

The film follows David Lavallee on his three-year journey across western Canada in search of answers about the activities of the world’s thirstiest oil industry: the Tarsands.

As a mountaineer and hiking guide, Lavallee is on the front lines of climate change. Over the past 15 years he has worked in the Columbia Icefields of the Canadian Rockies, and has noticed profound changes in the mountains. When he discovers that his province is ramping up growth in an extremely water intensive industry downstream of the icefields, he embarks on a journey to learn more about oilfields.

Lavallee makes many discoveries: new science shows that water resources in an era of climate change will be increasingly scarce (putting this industry at risk); First Nations people living downstream are contracting bizarre cancers; the upgrading of this oil threatens multiple river systems across Canada and the tailings ponds containing the waste by-products of the process threaten to befoul the third largest watershed in the world. Additionally, a planned pipeline across British Columbia brings fresh threats to B.C. Rivers and the Pacific Ocean.

“White Water, Black Gold” looks at the untold costs (to water and people) associated with developing the second largest deposit of “oil” in the world.

The screening on Oct. 20 starts at 7 p.m. in the church hall. There is no admission charge, although donations will be accepted. Refreshments and informative materials will also be available.