With Ottawa set to make a decision on re-opening Northern Gateway this week, opposition continues.
Back in June the Federal Court of Appeal turned down the then Harper government’s approval of Northern Gateway citing failures to consult with First Nations. Enbridge says they’re willing to negotiate with First Nations and won’t appeal the Federal Court of Appeal decision.
However, some hereditary chiefs aren’t convinced.
“Every time we fight the government it’s tax payers money, then we gotta scramble, then they label us all these terrible names because we’re not meekly going along with theses terrible decisions,” says Chief Namoks of the Wet’suwet’en, saying proper science should lead the way on big pipeline decisions.
“It’s all about accountability. Right from the premiere to the prime minister,” says Namoks.
A ‘We are Coast Protectors’ pledge with the Union of BC Indian Chiefs is collecting signatures opposing the fossil fuel industry across the continent. The petition has garnered nearly 3 thousand signatures with a goal of 5 thousand. Part of the message echoes a ‘Treaty Alliance Against Tar Sands Expansion’ with 50 First Nations in Canada and the US signing on in September with the UBCIC.
The second project up for Federal approval this week, Line 3 from Alberta to the US, is expected to be Enbridge’s largest ever pipeline project costing nearly 7 billion dollars.