First Nations filing lawsuits against Pacific NorthWest LNG project
VANCOUVER — First Nations and environmental groups are planning to file lawsuits Thursday against the federal government and Malaysian state-owned oil firm Petronas in an attempt to stop a liquefied natural gas project on British Columbia’s northern coast.
The $36-billion Pacific NorthWest LNG project which includes a pipeline and terminal proposed for Lelu Island near Prince Rupert, received conditional approval from the federal government last month.
Gitanyow Hereditary Chiefs and the Gitwilgyoots Tribe, which are filing separate lawsuits, want the Federal Court to rule that proper consultation with First Nations did not occur and that would reverse approval for the project.
Several elected bands in the area of the terminal have agreed to terms for the project, however chief negotiator of the Gitanyow Hereditary Chiefs Glen Williams said that isn’t enough.