A Malaysian in BC: Part 7

As insinuated at the end of my last post, there is a potential for positive impacts from LNG development, not just for British Columbians as a whole but also for First Nations in Particular. At the end of April 2016, the Provincial Government had signed a total of 62 pipeline benefits with 29 First Nations located along various LNG projects. These partnerships promise access to skills training and environmental stewardship projects around the  LNG developments. The Coastal GasLink Pipeline Project has secured benefits agreements with 17 of the 20 First Nations along its route. The Prince Rupert Gas Transmission Project has 16 of the 19 First Nations concerned on-side. The Westcoast Connector Gas Transmission Project has benefits agreements with 14 of 19 First Nations The nation along the Pacific Trail Pipeline have formed the First Nations Limited Partnership (FNLP) and signed a $32 million initial direct with a further $10 million in annual payments to the partnership during the operational life of the project. The 16 constituents of the FNLP are the Haisla, Kitselas, Lax Kw’alaams, Lheidli T’enneh, McLeod Lake, Metlakatla, Nadleh Whut’en, Nak’azdli, Nee Tahi Buhn Saik’uz, Skin Tyee, Stellat’en, Ts’il Kaz Koh (Burns Lake), West Moberly, Wet’suwet’en, Moricetown bands and nations. Note that this list includes the Lax Kw’alaams who lead the challenge to Petronas investment on Lelu Island. This is a conundrum that outsiders will finds very difficult to unravel and understand. In fact even in the stand against Petronas there have been different responses from different aspects of the Lax Kw’alaams leadership. In a letter to a federal government review  the elected leadership of the Lax Kw’alaams First Nation has offered conditional support for the Pacific NorthWest LNG terminal.