Blog Archives
Ignoring First Nations concerns costs Enbridge Northern Gateway pipeline
But environmentalists warn the battle is not over – with the B.C. pipeline project all but dead now there will be even more industry pressure to approve the Kinder Morgan and Energy East projects
by Adria Vasil, Now Toronto, July 5, 2016
Two down. Two to go. That’s the new rallying cry of pipeline foes after the Federal Court of Appeal overturned approval last week of Enbridge’s 1,177-kilometre Northern Gateway pipeline project through northern BC.
Eight First Nations, four environmental groups and the country’s largest private sector union, Unifor, launched a joint case against the controversial pipeline last fall after the project had been given a conditional green light by the Harper government. One of the conditions of that approval was that Enbridge conduct meaningful consultations with affected First Nations.
Former Idle No More organizer unfazed RCMP have him under surveillance
By Jorge Barrera, APTN National News, Oct 21, 2014
An Indigenous activist says documents showing the RCMP have him under surveillance reveal Canadian authorities have criminalized Indigenous dissent.
Clayton Thomas-Muller, 37, said he wasn’t surprised to learn the RCMP is keeping tabs on him and compiled a file on his movements dating back to at least 2010.
“I try not to pay any attention to the federal surveillance issue,” said Thomas-Muller, who is currently living in Ottawa and is a former Idle No More organizer. “I feel very strongly that the work I do is just and is on the right side of history, so I really don’t pay any attention to the Harper government’s tactics to try to criminalize the work I am involved in which uplifts democracy, transparency, equity and the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People. Specifically, the right of indigenous people to say no to harmful developments that threaten their way of life.” Read the rest of this entry
Northern Gateway pipeline: First Nations outline constitutional challenges
Grand Chief Stewart Phillip says at least 9 legal challenges have been launched
By Mike Laanela, CBC News, July 14, 2014
Several B.C. First Nations are launching at least nine court challenges to try to block Enbridge’s Northern Gateway pipeline, leaders revealed at a news conference this morning in Vancouver.
The First Nations leaders said they will argue the proposed pipeline and its recent approval by the federal government is a constitutional violation of their aboriginal land rights in their respective territories, particularly in light of the Supreme Court of Canada victory last month by the Tsilhqot’in First Nation. Read the rest of this entry
Conflicting messages about conflict: the “battle” against Enbridge
by Zig Zag, Warrior Publications, June 22, 2014
With the federal government’s approval of the Enbridge Northern Gateway pipeline on June 17, 2014, there arose a chorus of angry disapproval from many people in BC. Some talked about waging a “war against Enbridge,” while others proclaimed the beginning of the “battle.” Predictably, the political parties opposed to the Conservative government promised to put a stop to Enbridge, if elected. Those who have worked to oppose Enbridge over the past 5 years renewed their pledges to carry out court cases, referendums, voting campaigns, as well as civil disobedience.
In fact, the “Hold the Wall” campaign initiated by the Yinka Dene Alliance claims that over 22,000 people have pledged to do just that, “using all lawful means.” But what if a court decides its unlawful to “hold the wall”? Those with perhaps the most realistic grasp of the situation have renewed their calls for direct action, if and when necessary, to physically stop the construction of the pipelines.
Clearly there are mixed messages being transmitted. Read the rest of this entry
Enbridge boasts its list of supporters
“The Northern Gateway project is a major economic win for B.C. and for Canada,” says BC Chamber of Commerce.
The day after the Harper government ruled in favour of the controversial Northern Gateway pipeline, stirring a political storm from Vancouver to Parliament Hill, the ordinarily media shy Enbridge issued its own statement Wednesday with a list of the pipeline’s boosters.
It includes right-of-center politicians past and present, industry titans, and business association leaders.
Not surprisingly, Dave Hancock – the Premier of Alberta – in the heart of the oil sands – supports Northern Gateway, as does the province’s front-running Premier-wannabe, Jim Prentice.
Direct Action across B.C against Big Oil and Gas is starting to take shape
by Derrick, West Coast Native News, June 19th, 2014
Opponents of Enbridge’s Northern Gateway project spent the day after its conditional approval from Ottawa waging war on several fronts, Taking Direct action, using civil disobedience, legal action, and persuasion to further the message that the $7.9-billion pipeline should not be built.
Nine people staged a sit-in at Conservative MP James Moore’s B.C. constituency office Wednesday to voice their opposition to the project. Four were arrested after they refused to leave, but were quickly released by police and not taken into custody.
“We feel that Stephen Harper, along with James Moore, have a democratic duty to respect the convictions of Canadians and British Columbians who have said no,” Elle-Maija Tailfeathers, one of the protesters who left on her own accord, said in an interview.
When asked why she left the protest, Ms. Tailfeathers said: “This is a very long struggle ahead. I’m in it for the long haul. I’m ready to pick my battles.” Read the rest of this entry