Canada: Minister Oliver Stresses Importance of Good Relationship with First Nations

Joe Oliver, Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources, delivered keynote remarks at the BC First Nations Liquid Natural Gas Summit, where he emphasized the importance of building relationships, enhancing environmental protection and maximizing job and economic opportunities for British Columbia First Nations.

“Relationships built on trust and mutual respect are tremendously important as we work to seize this wonderful opportunity for resource development,” said Minister Oliver. He further emphasized that “addressing environmental and economic concerns of First Nations communities is a critical first step.”

Some of the measures that the Government of Canada has already taken to increase environmental protection include:

• Introducing fines for contraventions of environmental laws in the pipeline sector, which can range from $25,000 to a maximum of $100,000 per day;
• Increasing annual oil and gas pipeline inspections by 50 percent and doubling comprehensive audits of pipelines;
• Numerous measures to enhance tanker safety, including double hulls, mandatory pilotage and advanced navigation equipment;
• Creating a Tanker Safety Expert Panel that will review Canada’s current system and propose new ways to enhance Canada’s world-class tanker safety system, including emergency preparedness; and
• Legislative measures that would require a minimum financial capability of $1 billion for all major crude oil pipelines.

The development of a new market for liquefied natural gas (LNG) presents an immense opportunity for the Province of British Columbia. The Conference Board of Canada estimates that natural gas production and LNG in Canada will add $576 billion to  economy between 2012 and 2035.

[mappress]
LNG World News Staff, October 10, 2013; Image: nrcan.gc.ca