Cold Lake First Nations is challenging the Canadian federal government’s decision to designate Canada’s new oil pipeline project to the West Coast a project of national interest.
Last week, the federal government designated the new oil pipeline to the West Coast, which Canada and Alberta are advancing in partnership, a project of national interest, which would fast-track development.
The ambition of Alberta and Canada to export additional volumes of crude oil to destinations in Asia to reduce the high dependence on exports to the United States has prompted the provincial government to propose the new 1 million-barrels-per-day oil pipeline to the British Columbia coast.
As the federal government officially listed the new West Coast Oil Pipeline, now known as Pacific Link, as a project of national interest, it said that Canada and Alberta will share equal ownership of Pacific Link.
Indigenous communities will be offered a minimum of 10% ownership interest, financed through Canada and Alberta’s Indigenous Loan Guarantee Programs.
Private sector investor Pembina Pipeline Corporation is offering its expertise to project development, which is being led by the Trans Mountain Corporation. The new pipeline will follow a southern route which protects British Columbia’s North Coast and avoids highly sensitive ecosystems, including the Great Bear Sea.
A week later, Cold Lake First Nations (CLFNS) has now filed an application for judicial review in Federal Court challenging the decision to designate the pipeline as a project of national interest. CLFNS is taking this step to protect its Treaty rights, lands, and the Nation’s interests for future generations, it said in a statement.
“CLFNS has repeatedly asked Canada to consult with the Nation on both Pacific Link and Pathways and has proposed options for meaningful and timely engagement. Despite those efforts, Canada moved ahead with the national interest designation without meaningful consultation with the Nation,” the first nations said.
“CLFNS remains committed to working collaboratively toward a constructive path, but responsibility to take the first step outside the courtroom now rests with Canada.”
By Michael Kern for Oilprice.com
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