On June 2, 2014, the Supreme Court of Canada puts Enbridge back under Canada’s spotlight by declearing that the Tsilhqot’in First Nation held a valid aboriginal title over an area of 1750 square kilometer in central B.C. This landmark decision brings Enbridge’s project into a more difficult situation.
It has not been easy for Enbridge to achieve what they already have so far, and the main element that hinders their progress in the Northern Gateway Pipeline project is the voice of objection from the First Nations. Commencing from Northern Alberta, through Norther British Columbia, and eventually to the deep-water port of Kitimat B.C., the pipeline will cross through habitats of 40 First Nations along the way, hence putting many of their life-dependent and spiritually beloved ecological treasures in threat. It isn’t a surprise that many of these aboriginal groups, including the Yinka Dene Alliance—a group of six First nations, now raise protests to adamantly oppose Enbridge from destroying their motherland.
However, what Enbridge did not foresee is a strong uprising trend of protecting rights of the aboriginal culture and society. Even though the initial stages of negotiation progressed smoothly as they made equity sharing agreements with 26 of the 40 First Nations and the project was approved by Stephen Harper’s Conservative government in June, the decision made by the Supreme Court of Canada brought Enbridge back to the status quo it started with. No other words can be more accurate than B.C. Premier Christy Clark’s “new fork in road” to describe Enbridge and the government’s frustration on this thorny issue in relation with the First Nations.
This 7.9 billion worth project is not only profitable in Canada, but also from abroad. The huge demand from the local as well as Asian and European oil markets makes this project a profit attractive one and puts on strong market forces to make Enbridge take actions. However, this battle of ethic and profit does not have a forecastable result. In Premier Christy Clark’s words, “we’re not where we need to be yet.”
Works Cited:
Hoekstra, Gordon. “‘There Will Be No Pipeline'” The Vancouver Sun. Vancouver Sun, 16 Aug. 2014. Web. 5 Oct. 2014.
“Overview of the Northern Gateway Pipeline.” Project Overview. Northern Gateway, n.d. Web. 05 Oct. 2014.
Pynn, Larry. “B.C. Premier Urges Cooperation, Not More Litigation, as Government and Natives Reach ‘new Fork in Road'”Www.vancouversun.com. Vancouver Sun, 12 Sept. 2014. Web. 05 Oct. 2014.