Online site launched to raise cash for legal battles against Northern Gateway

VANCOUVER – British Columbia First Nations and environmental groups are launching a fundraising campaign for the coming legal battle against the Northern Gateway pipeline.

Sierra Club BC, in partnership with Victoria-based legal defence fund RAVEN Trust, and several northern aboriginal communities have created the website Pull-Together.ca.

Terrace, B.C.-based North West Watch says it has raised $2,000 already and spokeswoman Lori Merrill says a central mechanism is needed to allow B.C. residents opposed to the pipeline to contribute.

Gixaala (git-HAT’-la) First Nation Acting Chief Clarence Innis says his band has already spent more than $3 million gathering evidence and participating in the federal environmental review of the pipeline, far exceeding the allocation provided by Calgary-based Enbridge (TSX:ENB) and the federal government.

Sierra Club BC spokeswoman Caitlyn Vernon says the initial goal of the campaign is to raise $125,000 to help pay for several judicial reviews already filed against the project.

Note to readers: This is a corrected story. A previous version incorrectly stated that the target was $150,000.