Northern Gateway pipeline decision will be announced Tuesday

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VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – The federal government will announce its much-anticipated decision on the Northern Gateway pipeline after markets close on Tuesday.

Under its own rules, the Conservative government has a June 17 deadline for the final word on whether the 1,200-kilometre pipeline can be built linking the Alberta oilsands to a port on the British Columbia coast.

The $7-billion project is worth an estimated $300 billion in gross domestic product over 30 years and Natural Resources Minister Greg Rickford has hinted the cabinet decision will be a positive one for the project.

First Nations groups say they are anticipating the federal government to give the go-ahead but approval will mean years of legal battles.

“And we’re anticipating anywhere between 10-12 lawsuits. Very vigilant in terms of ensuring Enbridge doesn’t jump the gun and attempt any site preparations,” explains Grand Chief Stewart Phillip of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs. “It will last for a number of years and again there’s a whole variety of First Nations and non-First Nations coalitions that have built up and have already begun the pre-planning.”

Meanwhile Premier Christy Clark says BC’s five conditions have still not been met in the proposals on the table. “Therefore none of them would be approved by the province of British Columbia.”

Both the NDP and the Liberals urged the federal government during question period to reject the project, pointing to opposition by aboriginal communities and environmental concerns.

 

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