Enbridge specializes in the delivery of energy in the form of oil.

In Derrick Feng’s “A Spark between First Nations and BC Hydro“, he addresses the conflict between First Nations groups and BC Hydro’s new dam project. Although he focuses on government intervention being the link between companies and First Nations conflicts, I think that the conflicts are caused by the companies themselves. In the case regarding Enbridge, I believe that the opposition that the company faces is caused by their own ignorance towards the First Nations’ needs.

Enbridge has been pushing for the Northern Gateway project for what seems like forever. In short, the project is to build a pipeline from the Athabasca oil sands in Bruderheim, Alberta to Kitimat, British Columbia. Naturally, these projects come with many environmental concerns as well as a variety of political roadblocks. While the B.C. economy may flourish on all cylinders if the plan follows through, an abundance of people are opposed to the project, especially Aboriginal groups. At first glance, it appears to be a plausible idea to build the twin pipelines through northern British Columbia as the majority of the B.C. population is concentrated along the U.S. border. However,  Enbridge has been faced with a socio-cultural barrier that they still haven’t been able to overcome. Aboriginals have come together to form groups like the Yinka Dene Alliance in opposition of Enbridge’s plans. Aside from the obvious environmental concerns that follows pipeline projects, Enbridge is proposing a project that runs through land that belongs to the Aboriginals. In efforts to push the project into motion, Enbridge has offered Aboriginal groups plenty of financial benefits to compromise for the use of their land. No bueno.

Enbridge battles opposition with signs.

It seems that the more Enbridge tries to compromise, the stronger the opposition becomes. Why? I believe that the only way Enbridge can push this project through is if they change their stance. They must realize that a large portion of the B.C. population is more concerned with the environment rather than the economic issues. Clean water definitely takes priority over market capital for many. Whether this is right or wrong is debatable, but if Enbridge remodels their project to cater towards environmentally friendly ideals, there’s a much higher chance the general public is willing to give it a shot. In the end, it all comes down to the Aboriginals. The simplest alternative is to simply leave them alone. If Enbridge thinks they’ll win this battle against the aboriginals, they’re wrong. They need to stop wasting resources and rethink their project because at this point, the only pipeline being built carries money down the drain.