In Canada, First Nations are given some extent of power to intervene business developments regarding land and natural resources. This allows the First Nations to reject certain projects when they view them as dangerous to the environment. The article mentions that the First Nations had recently rejected the Petronas-led Pacific NorthWest LNG project, which is surprising the first time that the aboriginals have ever rejected a liquefied natural gas proposal in BC, as they view the project as harmful to the environment.
This is an example of where the First Nations play a role in ensuring ethic in business. Nowadays, many industries are ignoring their social responsibilities and would take advantage of the nature for their own benefits such as gaining resources through methods that would harm the ecosystem. In these situations, it is difficult for the suppliers and customers to stop such actions as they are both benefitting by paying less for the products. Therefore, it is important that another force step in and prevent them.
However, as the First Nations are becoming more involved into the Canadian society, such effects are beginning to weaken. Before, as the First Nations and Canadians were separated society, the First Nations are able to take a neutral stance and reject unethical projects. However, as the First Nations can also be benefitted from these projects, many of them will allow the projects even though it might be harmful to the environment. This is shown in the article as many of the First Nations agree with the LNG project acknowledging the damage that can be brought to the environment. In the future, the First Nations may not have any more effect in maintaining the environmental awareness as they will also view the benefits over their social responsibilities
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