Local First Nations oppose extension to Northern Gateway pipeline permit

Enbridge is running out of time to get its Northern Gateway pipeline project going.

With the federal environmental certificate set to expire at the end of this year unless construction begins, Enbridge is asking the National Energy Board (NEB) for a 3 year extension on the permit.

The request is drawing opposition from environmental and First Nations groups alike.

“We believe that the national Energy Board and the federal government should reject that ask from the Enbridge Northern Gateway Pipeline,” says Carrier Sekani Tribal Chief Terry Teegee, whose traditional territory the pipeline would cross.

The Carrier Sekani Tribal Council and the Yinka Dene Alliance – whose members include the Nadleh Whu’ten, Takla Lake and Nak’azdli First Nations – are calling on Prime Minister Trudeau to move forward with his promised ban on oil tanker traffic off BC’s north coast. Teegee says they want to see the Northern Gateway project taken off the table entirely.

“There are still 18 court cases in the queue with the Supreme Court of British Columbia and essentially this project is dead to many First Nations and to many communities affected by this project.”

Even if the extension is granted, Teegee says BC First Nations will continue to fight the project.

“The next steps, if they are granted an extension, is to continue on with litigation against this company as well as against the decision to extend their ask for more time. To us and to many First Nations communities, many municipalities, this project should be dropped.”

If the National Energy Board grants the extension, it will still require federal approval.

The NEB is currently accepting public feedback on the requested extension. Comments can be left on their website until June 27.