First Nations reaffirm ban on oil tanker traffic on BC’s North Coast
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA–(Marketwired – May 31, 2013) – The Coastal First Nations are congratulating the BC government for rejecting the Enbridge Northern Gateway pipeline at the conclusion of JRP hearings for the proposed project, and they are reaffirming their ban on oil tanker traffic on BC’s North Coast.
“The BC government has done the right thing by rejecting the Enbridge pipeline for the company’s failure to protect the environment,” said Art Sterritt, Executive Director of the Coastal First Nations. “Coastal First Nations are celebrating this victory today by reaffirming our unequivocal opposition to oil tanker traffic on BC’s North Coast.”
The Coastal First Nations have banned oil tankers from their traditional territories in the Great Bear Rainforest, and have invested more than $300 million dollars over the past decade to establish a sustainable economy on the coast. They say this investment now appears to be more secure.
“Enbridge would like to move forward on a promise, and the BC government is absolutely right in saying that we can’t trust them to do that. The review is over, and the company never met the five conditions, including legal requirements regarding Aboriginal rights and title,” said Sterritt.
“We commend Premier Clark for her strong position on the environment and commitment to building relationships with BC’s First Nations.”
Coastal First Nations
Art Sterritt
Executive Director
604-868-9110