One of the most aggravating yet inevitable occurrences is the announcement of yet another delay in the creation of a pipeline or industrial project as a result of First Nations legal challenges.

The Northern Gateway oil pipeline has faced numerous challenges in its conception. Firstly, it has had to face environmental standards testing. The pipeline has faced stiffness in cooperation with the BC government – a conflict wherein BC erroneously asserted that it deserved compensation for the pipeline’s existence, despite the fact that cross-province resource transportation operations should not face this burden.

Finally, Northern Gateway faces difficulty in dealing with the land claims of 40 separate First Nations groups whose territory is crossed by the pipeline. I find it extremely difficult to sympathize with First Nations groups in this case, and most related ones. Environmental concerns are almost always overblown – spills are extremely rare, and even if one was to occur, fair value for unrecoverable assets can be determined. I recognize the fact that in an extremely unlikely spill scenario, areas that are significant to First Nations can be damaged, perhaps permanently. However, the downright refusal to allow pipelines to pass through their territory is unsustainable. The decrease in the quality of life of these Nations due to the loss of small portions of these traditional lands is minimal, while this, and other projects, represent major opportunities for Canadian industry, and by extension, all Canadians. Consistently holding projects like this hostage is unsustainable, and I support the federal government’s attempts to push this project through.

Sources Used

http://www.vancouversun.com/technology/There+will+pipeline/10122968/story.html#__federated=1

http://wpmedia.business.financialpost.com/2013/12/fp0410-northern-gateway.jpg