Enbridge backtracks on decision to seize assets from environmental group

No Enbridge, art by Andy Everson, Kwakwaka’wakw.

By Estefania Duran, Global News, October 17, 2017

Staff at the Vancouver office of an environmental group got an unexpected visit on Tuesday from sheriffs who were holding court documents authorizing them to seize the organization’s assets on behalf of Enbridge.

Karen Mahon with Stand.earth, formerly known as Forest Ethics, said the documents authorized the sheriffs to take and sell all of their assets to recover money owed to the pipeline giant.

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Indigenous rights ‘serious obstacle’ to Kinder Morgan pipeline, report says

Secwepemc activist Kanahus Manuel in front of a tiny house being built in the path of Kinder Morgan pipeline’s planned route through her Nation’s territory in British Columbia, Canada. Photograph: Ian Willms/Greenpeace

Pipeline company downplaying major legal and financial risks of crossing unceded First Nations territory in British Columbia

by Martin Lukacs, The Guardian, October 16, 2017

The controversial expansion of a pipeline that would carry tar sands crude from Alberta to British Columbia’s coast will be doomed by the rising power of Indigenous land rights.

That’s the message that Kanahus Manuel, an Indigenous activist from the Secwepemc Nation in central BC, plans to deliver to banks financing the project as she travels through Europe this week.

Social movements played a huge part in derailing Energy East

Yes, the cancellation was a business decision. But thousands of activists were instrumental in its delay

By Bronwen Tucker, CBC News, October 12, 2017

In the wake of TransCanada’s announcement that it will no longer be pursuing Energy East, a familiar chorus of politicians have emerged to blame various actors for the pipeline’s demise.

Conservative MPs and premiers pointed to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Leadership hopefuls for Alberta’s United Conservative Party framed it as a direct failure of Premier Rachel Notley. And federal Liberals explained it vaguely as a “business decision” based on “market conditions.”

TransCanada terminates plan for $15.7 billion Energy East pipeline

TransCanada Corp said today it would abandon its Energy East and Eastern Mainline pipeline projects, following tough review by Canada’s energy regulator

Vancouver Sun, October 5, 2017

TransCanada Corp. has scrapped its Energy East Pipeline and Eastern Mainline projects, oil and natural gas conduits that have faced regulatory hurdles in Canada and stiff opposition from environmental groups.

As a result of the decision, TransCanada expects an estimated $1 billion after-tax, non-cash charge to be recorded in the fourth quarter, the company said in a statement Thursday. Because regulators failed to reach a decision on the projects, TransCanada expects “no recoveries of costs from third parties.” The Energy East link to Canada’s Atlantic Coast carried a $15.7 billion price tag.

Canadian Indigenous activist in North Dakota court to face Standing Rock charges

Kanahus Manuel was arrested near the construction of the North Dakota Access Pipeline Oct. 22

By Brandi Morin, CBC News, October 3, 2017

A Secwepemc activist from B.C. is in a North Dakota court today to face charges stemming from her involvement with protests in Standing Rock.

Kanahus Manuel was among dozens of people arrested near the construction of the North Dakota Access Pipeline last Oct. 22.

Video: Activists Build Tiny Houses To Defend Against Oil Pipeline

Living Big In A Tiny House, Published on Sep 11, 2017

Ten tiny houses are about to go head-to-head with a giant proposed oil pipeline. In what some area already dubbing the next ‘Standing Rock’, Kanahus Manuel, an activist of the Secwepemc Nation is spearheading a team of builders and volunteers from all over North America to construct tiny homes with the aim of halting the expansion of the Kinder Morgan’s Trans Mountain pipeline which would run through 518 kilometres of Secwepemc Territory.

Fundraiser: No Pipelines on Unist’ot’en Territory

Extension being built on the healing lodge at Unist’ot’en, Wet’suwet’en territory.

The Unist’ot’en Clan of Northern BC has established a Camp at the entrance to their Territory. They have declared that no fossil fuel pipelines will cross their land.

All funds contributed will go to completing the Healing Lodge at the Camp. The Healing Lodge – central to the Unist’ot’en Camp – is nearing completion. With a final construction push it will be fully functional.

Indigenous protesters build tiny homes in Trans Mountain pipeline’s path

Canadian Press, September 7, 2017

CHASE, B.C. – Members of the Secwepemc Nation in British Columbia say they are building the first of 10 tiny homes that will be placed directly in the path of Kinder Morgan’s $7.4-billion Trans Mountain pipeline expansion.

Kanahus Manuel of the Secwepemc Women’s Warrior Society says the house is a symbol of sustainability in the face of an environmentally damaging project and is based on homes built at the Standing Rock protest in the United States.

First Nations will protest, but Trans Mountain pipeline a done deal, Liberals say

‘Nothing that’s happened has changed our mind that this is a good decision,’ resources minister says

By John Paul Tasker, CBC News, September 7, 2017

While some Indigenous activists gear up to fight expansion of the Kinder Morgan Trans Mountain pipeline on the streets and in court, federal Liberal cabinet ministers say there’s no going back on their decision to approve the $7.4-billion project.

Supreme Court to issue landmark rulings on Indigenous relationship with energy sector

Top court to rule on consultation process over energy projects

By John Paul Tasker, CBC News, July 25, 2017

The Supreme Court will deliver two landmark rulings Wednesday that could lead to fundamental changes for Canada’s energy sector and its relationship with Indigenous Peoples.

At issue is the Crown’s constitutional obligation to consult with Indigenous Peoples before approving the construction of a pipeline or allowing a natural resources project to proceed. The top court is expected to give further details on just how much consultation is required, and who should be doing it.