The Canadian government wants to protect endangered orcas while building a new oil pipeline. This pipeline could harm the orcas.

The British Columbia government also wants to protect these whales. They stopped opposing the pipeline last month.

Environmentalists are not sure if the government can balance protecting the orcas with building the pipeline. The orcas' population is already small and declining.

A lawyer named Anna Johnston said, 'I don't see how they can do both things at the same time.'

She also said, 'They're doing things in the wrong order, and it will end badly.'

The government quietly announced that the pipeline is a 'national interest' project. This means it can get special treatment.

This special treatment includes exemptions from some environmental laws. These laws are meant to protect fish and species at risk.

People are worried that the government might ignore findings that the pipeline could harm the orcas.

There are less than 75 orcas left in the Salish Sea. The pipeline would end at a port in this area, and there are plans to expand the port.

Reports say that noise from ships is a big threat to the orcas. The orcas use sound to hunt and travel.

Hussein Alidina from the World Wildlife Federation said, 'This is not a new problem. The orcas have been in danger for a long time.'

He also said, 'The threats to the orcas have not gone away. New projects will add more dangers.'

The government has ideas to make big projects happen faster. One idea is to let ministers decide if a project can go ahead, even if it might harm species at risk.

The Transport Minister said that a report about this idea was wrong. He said the government is working to protect whales.

The minister pointed to money the government is spending to help whales. He said they would not do anything to hurt these efforts.

He also said, 'We're not trying to cut corners. We want to make the process more efficient.'

Before the prime minister announced the pipeline deal, he and the B.C. premier made an agreement. They said they would protect the orcas.

The agreement mentions investments to help the whales. It sets a timeline to work on the issue by December.

The B.C. government did not comment on the agreement. A lawyer said the agreement is not a strong promise to protect the orcas.

The lawyer said the language is too vague to be a legal promise. She thinks it's just meant to reassure the public.

The government has a plan to help the orcas. It includes funding and rules to keep ships away from the whales.

A spokesperson said the government will share more information about the rules soon.

But Alidina said these measures are not enough. He thinks the new pipeline and port expansion will harm the orcas.

He said, 'If you really care about the orcas, you would stop new projects until the whales are safe.'

He also said the provincial government should do more to help.

A spokesperson for the government pointed to investments in whale protection. They said these efforts will help the orcas.

The spokesperson also mentioned a plan to help salmon. This could help the orcas by giving them more food.

The government said the new law is not meant to bypass approvals. Projects still need to be assessed and discussed with Indigenous communities.

The spokesperson said, 'Moving faster does not mean skipping important steps.'

But a lawyer said the timeline for the pipeline is too short. It's not enough time to understand the impacts or get public input.

She said, 'It's not long enough to identify the specific impacts. It's definitely not enough time for public and Indigenous input.'

The government is already talking to Indigenous communities. They are asking for public comments on the pipeline.

The lawyer said if the project goes ahead despite risks to the orcas, she expects lawsuits.

She also thinks public opinion will turn against the pipeline.

She said, 'People might support pipelines in general, but when it comes to a project that could harm a beloved species, support will drop.'

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