Ottawa must do a better job engaging with First Nations communities in British Columbia regarding the litany of energy projects proposed for the province, a new report written for Prime Minister Stephen Harper says.
Released on December 5 at a First Nations Summit meeting in North Vancouver, the 53-page report written by Doug Eyford – Forging Partnerships, Building Relationships: Aboriginal Canadians and Energy Development – proposes a number of recommendations for establishing a "principled dialogue" between the government and First Nations groups about looming energy developments such as oil and natural gas pipelines, increased natural gas drilling in northeast B.C. and liquefied natural gas export facilities on the coast.
Key recommendations in Eyford's report are:
- the establishment of a Crown-First Nations energy committee to foster "sustained dialogue" on energy projects;
- fund resource industry education for aboriginal communities;
- develop regional planning programs to quantify the cumulative effects of energy projects on specific areas of the province; and
- consult with First Nations communities on marine safety and other risk management initiatives.
In a phone interview with Business in Vancouver, Grand Chief Edward John of the First Nations Summit, called the report a critical step in the inclusion of First Nations in the "massive" amount of resource development planned in B.C.
"We are very thankful this report was completed and that's been made public," said John.
"This provides an important framework for Canada to work with First Nations. Canada has been absent in the past. They have to talk to us. First Nations have a say, as does the government on what happens here. This is a way to collaborate, protect the environment and benefit from resource development."
In a statement to the media, federal Minister of Natural Resources Joe Oliver said, "This report from the Special Federal Representative [Eyford] is a solid basis for sustained engagement on responsible resource development with Aboriginal Peoples in British Columbia and Alberta.
"Our government will thoroughly review the recommendations before making any decisions on next steps."
Prime Minister Harper appointed Eyford last March to draft the report. Eyford compiled the data after meeting with more than 80 First Nations communities.
Eyford's report comes on the heels of a report released on November 4 outlining 45 recommendations for improving Canada's marine oil spill response plan.
