Post by : Meena Ariff

Adrian Dix, British Columbia’s Energy Minister, emphasizes that the unanimous decision at the Assembly of First Nations in Ottawa reinforces the province's view that viable alternatives exist beyond a northern coast pipeline.

Chiefs from over 600 Indigenous communities have urged the federal government to sustain the oil tanker ban off the northern coast of B.C. and retract the recent memorandum of understanding signed with Alberta.

Dix stated that this assembly vote echoes the long-standing position of First Nations. He criticized the memorandum as being premature, noting that there is “no project, no proponent, and no likelihood of the project advancing.” He raised concerns regarding the economic rationale for developing a new northern pipeline, emphasizing that southern pipeline proposals are not receiving proper attention.

The minister remarked that enhancing existing pipelines is more economically feasible than building new ones, while B.C. is willing to engage Alberta in discussions about increasing current oil transport capabilities.

Marilyn Slett, president of the Coastal First Nations, expressed appreciation for the assembly's backing, asserting that the protection of B.C.’s northern coast is non-negotiable and must be honored by the federal government.

Both Slett and Premier David Eby emphasized that any federal approval for a northern pipeline would necessitate consent from the impacted First Nations, especially since revoking the tanker ban would be required for the project's progress. Eby described the proposed project as a diversion from current energy projects, cautioning it could divert scarce government resources.

#Political News #Canada News #World News