Enbridge Deal with Gitxsan Trashed
Wednesday, January 18, 2012 @ 3:45 PM
Terrace, B.C. – Enbridge has confirmed that its $7 million agreement with Gitxsan Hereditary Chief Elmer Derrick for the Northern Gateway pipeline has fallen through, but the company doesn’t sound like it’s giving up with negotiations.
A group of Gitxsan chiefs voted to reject the deal at a meeting held yesterday, but it’s not known exactly what will happen next. The agreement sparked anger and controversy within the First Nation and prompted members to blockade the Gitxsan Treaty Society Office where Derrick worked as Chief Negotiator.
For its part, Enbridge spokesperson Paul Stanway says the company is disappointed with the decision but respects the development
“The Gitxsan have been very clear that the deal we signed through Chief Derrick doesn’t meet all of their requirements and they want to go back and take a fresh run at this and we’re okay with that. We’re disappointed, but it’s their right to do that if they’re not satisfied with the deal that’s on the table.”
Stanway adds Enbridge has a great deal of respect for the way the Gitxsan have approached the situation. He says the company is still confident that it has momentum in its negotiations with First Nations in BC and Alberta. Enbridge says it has 20 plus equity agreements with First Nations regarding Northern Gateway and hopes to increase that number.
Comments
Someone is speaking with “forked tongue”
The Enbridge spokesman has all the right language in his response to the companys ‘disappointment’ Very respectful.
metalman.
I think the other ’20 plus’ First Nations should definitely reconsider their positions as well. 7 Million sounds just like a bribe.
Have any of these ‘movers and shakers’ ever even flown over intended route? If not, maybe they should get on the ground and try walking it and try it in the winter as well.
Money will never ‘fix’ a disaster that will happen.
That is just Enbridge propoganda saying they have 20+ native bands on board. And you can bet they are all from Alberta. All the newcasts I have seen or articles I have read regarding native bands in BC have all said, they absolutely don’t want the pipeline in BC or tankers on the coast. And they are adamant that money or jobs isn’t the issue.
What I am afraid of is that Canada won’t own any of this oil and I’m also very much afraid that there will be an ecoligical disaster and the west coast will become damaged or one of our water ways will become damaged as well. I’m definately not confident about Enbridges track record on oil spills. I would like to see the oil refined in Alberta or BC as it has been indicated that refined oil has less of an impact on the environment.
the sky is falling give more.
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