Liberals Stress Native Participation on Pipelines
Tuesday, July 24, 2012 @ 3:44 AM
Prince George, B.C. – The BC government says one of the key aspects in deciding whether it will support the Northern Gateway pipeline project is securing aboriginal participation in the proposal.
Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation Minister Mary Polak says “with respect to the First Nations side of things we want to see companies going beyond their minimum legal obligations. We have great success in moving forward with expansion of projects in mining, in oil and gas, and it’s because we have those positive relationships and partnerships, not just a view to minimum obligations.”
Polak, asked about consultation with First Nations and the number of native communities that are on side with Northern Gateway, says “We’re not aware of any First Nation in British Columbia that has taken a positive, supportive position of the Enbridge proposal at this stage. If one looks at the JRP hearings, about 97 percent of the 174 First Nations speakers expressed opposition to the project. And of the remainder of those five simply made procedural arguments and one did not state a position. What we’re asking for proponents of any new heavy oil pipeline to consider is that there is more to relationship building with First Nations than simply minimum legal requirements. We ask them to consider the best practices that we have developed in British Columbia that have resulted in successful partnerships with First Nations all across the province, and in improving relationships that see resource development move along much more smoothly, not only for the proponents but also giving First Nations an opportunity to participate.”
Comments
Might be hard to get them to work on the pipeline when they don’t want it.
Yo NoWay,
Ain’t that the truth…at this stage, it don’t matter what this so-called gov’t of BC says…this project will not see the light of day, due to the lack of consultation from Enbridge and the federal gov’t…it’ll be in court for years to come…the “cookie-cutter, once size fits all, take it or leave it approach” Enbridge has tried to impose on FNs, simply will not work, now or later…FNs want to be part of economic development, they won’t jeopardize the majority of their(our) way of life to achieve that, in the process…
Maybe the Liberals should strees non native participation as well. We are all equal no?
According to my dictionary, anyone born in Canada is a “native”. It says so!
But then again, what does a dictionary know, eh?
I think the missives from the government no longer use “native” … they use aboriginal and First Nations.
The headline uses the term “native”.
Scrap the old adage that says “the natives are restless tonight”? Hmmm? I go “native” every day. I also love the English language, too.
Only recently did the federal gov’t get PC and change the name from Dep’t of Indian and Northern Affairs to Dep’t of Aboriginal and Northern Affairs (something like that).
Most aboriginal communities are now referred to as First Nations. McLeod Lake has been in the news a lot lately yet they are always referred to as the McLeod Lake Indian Band. Why is that ?
Harbinger:
The english language is a hoot. The rule is “i after e except after c”. Yet I’m constantly using words like height and weight……. why is that ?
The word “science” OK? Refer to Prince George as a “Second Nation”?
HAHA……(science..awesome :)) I are French. I am the second nation.
All of us, no matter what colour we may be need to stand together to fight. There is way too much to lose in the never ending search for the almighty dollar. It is just not worth the risk.
So are they going to use “Prius of the Sea” Viking Lady Hybrid fuelcell/battery with fuel cell stacks manufactured in Calgary as offshore vessels?
Please visit to learn more:
http://www.maritime-executive.com/article/first-true-hybrid-to-be-installed-onboard-an-osv
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