Politics · Canada · 4 hrs ago
B.C. First Nations seek national consultation rules for pipeline projects
At a meeting in Vancouver, B.C. First Nations called for national rules on project consultations with the federal government.
They say they had just 11 working days to review whether the proposed Pacific Link pipeline should be designated a project of national interest.
The pipeline would run from Alberta to B.C., and the designation was announced by Prime Minister Mark Carney and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith on Oct.
1.
It does not remove the duty to consult First Nations about the project’s effects.
Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc Chief Rosanne Casimir said communities face thousands of documents, tight deadlines and limited funding.
Major Projects CEO Dawn Farrell said she supports consultation standards but questioned how they would fit with faster project approvals.
The government aims to complete reviews and consultations over the next year, with construction expected to begin next September.
B.C. First Nations are asking Ottawa to set national standards for Indigenous consultations on major projects.
They say they had only 11 working days to review whether the proposed Pacific Link pipeline should be designated a project of national interest.
The pipeline was designated a project of national interest on Oct. 1 by Prime Minister Mark Carney and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith.
Major Projects CEO Dawn Farrell said she supports the idea of national consultation standards but questioned how they would fit with accelerated project approvals.
The designation does not remove the government’s obligation to consult First Nations about the pipeline’s impacts.
- Who
- First Nations in B.C. are seeking national consultation standards. Major Projects CEO Dawn Farrell addressed their concerns.
- What
- First Nations are calling on Ottawa to set minimum protections and timelines for consultations on major projects.
- When
- Farrell addressed the B.C. Assembly of First Nations on Wednesday. The Pacific Link pipeline received its national interest designation on Oct. 1.
- Where
- The B.C. Assembly of First Nations’ annual general meeting in Vancouver.
- Why
- First Nations say they had only 11 working days to review the pipeline designation and face tight timelines, limited funding and extensive documents.
B.C. First Nations
Major Projects CEO Dawn Farrell
Consultation standards
B.C. First Nations
First Nations are calling for national standards with minimum procedural protections and protected timelines.
Major Projects CEO Dawn Farrell
Farrell said she agrees with the concept of national standards but questioned how they would work alongside accelerated approval timelines.
Pacific Link process
B.C. First Nations
First Nations say they had only 11 working days to review and engage on the designation, and that meaningful consultation is difficult while decisions move forward.
Major Projects CEO Dawn Farrell
Farrell said her office is committed to improving consultation and described the difficulty of showing what that work looks like.
Prime Minister Mark Carney and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith designated the proposed Pacific Link pipeline a project of national interest.
Dawn Farrell addressed the B.C. Assembly of First Nations at its annual general meeting in Vancouver.
- Consultation review period
- 11 working days
- Pipeline route
- Alberta to B.C.
- Designation date
- Oct. 1
- First Nations representative
- Rosanne Casimir, Tkʼemlúps te Secwépemc Chief
- Meeting location
- Vancouver
What people are saying
Meaningful consultation is difficult when nations, communities, are still trying to understand the project while decisions are continuing to move forward.
I hear your pleas and I hear your discussions and I hear, you know, sort of a disbelief that it’s ever going to change, and a cynicism.
Because we’re all committed in our office to try to do it better.