Swo Wo Gabriel, of the Squamish First Nation, sings and plays a drum before First Nations and environmental groups speak about a federal court hearing about the Kinder Morgan Trans Mountain pipeline expansion, during a news conference in Vancouver, B.C., on Monday October 2, 2017. The hearing which began Monday consolidates numerous lawsuits filed by seven First Nations applicants, the cities of Burnaby and Vancouver, the Raincoast Conservation Foundation, and the Living Oceans Society, which claim the National Energy BoardÕs approval process was flawed and First Nations werenÕt adequately consulted. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

First Nations begin court challenge against Trans Mountain pipeline expansion

VANCOUVER – First Nations, environmental groups and local governments appeared in the Federal Court of Appeal in Vancouver today continuing their fight against the expansion of the Trans Mountain pipeline.

Chief Ian Campbell of the Squamish First Nation says the federal government failed to consult or gain consent of First Nations for expansion of the oil pipeline, so they have little choice but to try to protect their land and water in the courts.

Campbell told a news conference the government didn't adequately study the impacts that a spill of diluted bitumen could have in the band's waters, which isn't good governance.

First Nations, the cities of Burnaby and Vancouver, and two environmental groups are asking the court to overturn the federal government's decision to approve the expansion of the $7.4-billion pipeline from Edmonton to Burnaby.

Both the B.C. and Alberta governments are interveners in the court action, on opposing sides of the argument.

The trial is expected to last about two weeks.

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Taylor Rae

Before university, Taylor spent a year abroad living in Thailand which encouraged her to finish her degree studying in Turkey, both experiences have made her an avid traveller. Taylor graduated from Thompson Rivers University with a degree in Communications and Public Relations. Although born on the coast, Taylor has lived the majority of her life in Kamloops and enjoys what the region has to offer. In her spare time, you can find Taylor volunteering in the community or out on an adventure with her friends and her dogs.

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