The motion called for a legislated ban on bulk oil tanker traffic on the sensitive northern coast of British Columbia (BC). "For those who have not been to B.C.'s coast, it is stunning geography with mountains rising to the sky, deep waters and narrow channels... This part of the ocean experiences some of the strongest waves, biggest winds and biggest storms in the world. There have been two major accidents within the last five years alone." said moving NDP Member of Parliament Nathen Cullen.

The motion comes as Calgary-based Enbridge Inc. has proposed to send up to 225 oil tankers every year out of Kitimat to carry crude oil to Asia and the western United States. The Enbridge Northern Gateway project also includes a proposed pipeline from Alberta to Kitimat.

A coalition of First Nations, commercial fisheries and environmental groups from the Pacific Northwest Coast called for a ban on oil tankers in the region.