TransCanada announces milestone for gas pipeline project

TransCanada says it’s reached a important milestone on a pipeline project that would supply gas to the proposed LNG Canada project in Kitimat.

The company says that its Coastal Gaslink Pipeline Project has signed community and project agreements with all the “elected” First Nations band councils along the pipeline route.

“When we first began this project over six years ago, our goal was to build more than just relationships with First Nations communities in B.C.; it was to build trusted partnerships, and that has made all the difference,” said Rick Gateman, president of the Coastal GasLink Pipeline Project in a news release.

“Today’s announcement is a testament to what we can accomplish when industry and First Nations work together,” said Gary Naziel, councilor, Witset First Nation. “This project will provide jobs, contracts and financial benefits that Witset First Nation can use to enhance programs and initiatives for our citizens, such as language and cultural programs.”

Communities that have singed employment and benefit agreements include:

Stellat’en First Nation, Saik’uz First Nation, Cheslatta Carrier Nation, McLeod Lake Indian Band, Saulteau First Nations, Kitselas First Nation,
West Moberly First Nations, Lheidli T’enneh First Nation, Nadleh Whut’en Indian Band, Burns Lake Indian Band, Blueberry River First Nations, Halfway River First Nation, Doig River First Nation, Wet’suwet’en First Nation, Yekooche First Nation, Nee Tahi Buhn Indian Band, Skin Tyee First Nation, Witset First Nation, Nak’azdli Whut’en, and Haisla Nation.

The proposed pipeline still faces stiff opposition. A number of Wet’suwet’en house groups have rejected the project, claiming it infringes on Wet’suweten Title, Rights, and Interests.

The Unist’ot’en Camp, established to protect Unist’ot’en lands from a number of resource development projects, including Coastal GasLink, lies directly in the path of the proposed pipeline corridor near the Morice River.

TransCanada says it continues to hold discussions with hereditary governance groups and says it’s optimistic that additional agreements may be reached in the near future should the LNG Canada project receive a positive final investment decision.

A final investment decision on the $40 billion LNG Canada project is expected this fall.

TransCanada announces milestone for gas pipeline project

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