B.C. First Nation rejects $1.15-billion LNG deal, says it’s ‘not a money issue’
PORT SIMPSON, B.C. – A natural gas benefit offer worth $1.15 billion has been rejected by a First Nation on British Columbia's northwest coast.
The Lax Kw'alaams band council issued a statement saying its members voted against the deal during three separate community meetings.
The offer from Pacific NorthWest LNG would have secured consent for a liquefied natural gas export terminal on Lelu Island on the band's territory just south of Prince Rupert, at the head of the Skeena River.
Lax Kw'alaams members have raised concerns over potential environmental impacts the project would have on the salmon-rich Skeena River estuary.
The band council says it hopes the vote sends a clear message that environmental and cultural issues override money.
The news release says the band has been in talks with Pacific NorthWest LNG for four years and will continue to work with the Petronas-owned company to find a solution.
Premier Christy Clark said Tuesday that she believes it is just a matter of time before a negotiated agreement is reached with the 3,700 member First Nation.
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3 responses
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THEY SHOULD BE HAILED AS HEROES FOR THE STRENGTH OF THEIR RESOLVE! <3 THANK YOU FOR NOT PUTTING A PRICE ON OUR FUTURE! <3
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finally a band that has not been bought out like Judas; people who understand that we have a duty to mother earth to protect it and a duty to future generations. unfortunately people working for multinational corporations don’t understand this, and get quite upset because it means they don’t get to buy a new boat and cottage….that’s all people have been conditioned to think about….$$$>there is more to life than money. unfortunately society is also hooked on the economic income from raping and destroying mother earth and our future generation. Cancer and all diseases have exploded in the last 100 years as a result of the various industrial disease. kids born with asthma is 1 in 5 and down’s syndrome is 1 in 100. the insanity of humanity never ceases to piss me off, in turn driving me to speak and act out to raise awareness with the intention that perhaps one day the majority of people think like the Lax Kw’alaams band…doesn’t the insanity of humanity motivate you?
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