Northern Gateway Pipeline and its Opposing External Factors

The stalled Northern Gateway Pipeline project ceases to continue due to many opposing external factors. In short, Embridge Inc. proposes a 7.9 billion dollar plan to transport oil from Alberta to Kitimat, BC and load it on to oil tankers to be shipped off to Asian markets. Although there is new opportunity for Canada’s energy operations to enter this market, there are still many external environmental factors to be assessed and integrated into the business canvas model Embridge has been trying to get off the ground. The issue surrounding the crude oil pipeline is the impact it will have on First Nation Peoples, the areas in which it will run directly through First Nations territory, and furthermore, how it will impact the environment. They are asking for better techniques to clean up potential oil spills on their territories and waters of the Pacific. This means Embridge needs implement a new strategy and possible new technology on how they would handle an oil spill if it was to occur. These issues reiterate the failure in Canadian history in executing land claim treaties to Aboriginals. Embridge has proposed a 10 percent equity steak for surrounding First Nation groups and so far 26 are in agreement with this proposal. Other First Nation groups are still very much opposed to the idea and lawsuits are major threats to the project.

Cite

Tait, Carrie. “Industry, First Nations share Northern Gateway pipeline ally in Prentice”. The Globe and Mail. Web. Sept. 09, 2014.

Krugel, Lauren. “Northern Gateway pipeline through B.C. unlikely to start up by 2018, project president says”. The Vancouver Sun. Web. Sept. 04, 2014.

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