First Nations take PNW LNG protest to UN

British Columbia’s First Nations leaders to their protest against the Petronas-led Pacific NorthWest LNG project to the United Nations on Thursday.

According to a joint statement, the First Nations “called upon member nations of the world body to support their demand that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government reject the proposed Pacific NorthWest LNG project.”

The First Nations expressed concerns about the threat posed to wild salmon habitat by Pacific NorthWest’s $36-billion fossil fuel project proposed for the mouth of the Skeena River, the statement reveals.

Murray Smith, one of the House Leaders of the Gitwilgyoots Tribe added that the First Nations are not completely against development.

The Canadian government is currently considering an amended proposal from Pacific NorthWest LNG as part of a federal environmental assessment that has been harshly criticized by salmon and climate scientists, and by Aboriginal legal scholars who believe the process does not meet the standard of “free, prior and informed consent” required by UNDRIP, according to the statement.

Additionally, the First Nations requested the Canadian government to “put an end” to the Pacific NorthWest LNG project proposed for the Lelu Island  without delay.

 

LNG World news Staff