Speeding up Northern Gateway review risks battle

Posted on April 2, 2012 8:08 am

B.C. First Nations are reacting with anger to the governments decision to retroactively shorten the regulatory review for the Northern Gateway pipeline project in British Columbia.

"This incredibly stupid move on the part of the Harper government will only serve to expedite the battle in the courtrooms and on the land itself," said Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, president of the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs. He described the situation between B.C. aboriginals and the federal and provincial governments as "volatile."

This "pipeline is going to traverse the territories of literally dozens and dozens of First Nations. And all of them have said very clearly that they do not support the Northern Gateway project and that they will do everything that they can to stop this project," added Phillip.

Grand Chief Stewart Phillip of the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs says the federal government will face battles in court and elsewhere if it seeks to speed up the environmental review process for the Northern Gateway pipeline. Darryl Dyck/Canadian PressIn Thursdays budget, the government announced a streamlining of environmental assessments so that major projects receive only one review lasting no longer than 24 months. The new, shortened deadlines would be applied retroactively to projects that are already being reviewed.

via Speeding up Northern Gateway review risks battle - Politics - CBC News.