Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson joined chiefs of the North Shore’s Tsleil-Waututh and Squamish nations and a Musqueam nation councillor in Ottawa this week to lobby the federal government against approval of the Kinder Morgan pipeline expansion project.
The First Nations leaders and Vancouver mayor plan to meet with federal ministers and members of the Liberal caucus to drive home their opposition to the project.
Last month, the National Energy Board recommended approval of the company’s plan to twin the Trans Mountain pipeline as long as 157 conditions are met. The federal government is expected to make a final decision on the project in December.
At a press conference in Ottawa Tuesday morning, Chief Ian Campbell of the Squamish Nation repeated the band’s position of “vehement opposition” to the Kinder Morgan pipeline expansion plan. Campbell said the Squamish are “completely unsatisfied with the level of engagement” shown by the federal government to First Nations, adding the recent appointment of a three-person panel by Ottawa to continue consultation does little to address that.
Campbell hinted that if the federal government approves the project, it will likely end up in the courts. “We will use every opportunity to challenge this project,” he said.
Campbell said while the vocabulary about consulting with First Nations has changed since the election, “now we need to see tangible results and the actions that go along with that.”
“We are here to encourage Prime Minister Trudeau and (Energy Minister) Jim Carr and others to make the right decision.”
Chief Maureen Thomas of the Tsleil-Waututh also spoke at the news conference, stressing concerns that an expanded pipeline would present environmental risk to everyone in the Lower Mainland. “We can’t assume somebody else is going to look after us,” she said.
North Burnaby Seymour MP Terry Beech met with the group in Ottawa this week. Beech said he’s trying to keep an open mind on the issue, but acknowledged, “Most people who talk to me have concerns about the project. It’s the No. 1 topic I get emails for and meeting requests for.” Beech said he’s told his constituents, “the next five months are going to be very important,” adding anyone with concerns should “come out and make your voice heard.”
Beech said he plans to host a town hall meeting on Kinder Morgan and climate change on July 16. Another larger town hall meeting with all 17 Liberal MPs is in the works for September, he said.
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