Two more BC First Nations sign on to Pacific NorthWest LNG
Posted February 15, 2017 2:41 pm.
Last Updated February 15, 2017 5:41 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VICTORIA (NEWS 1130) – The Pacific NorthWest LNG project took another step forward Wednesday as two more Northern BC First Nations signed agreements with the province.
The agreements with the Lax Kw’alaams Band and Metlakatla First Nation will inject nearly $150 million into the two communities and also include access to jobs.
“The benefits that would accrue from this project are huge for our community members,” says Mayor John Helin of the Lax Kw’alaams Band, adding it “goes a long way to addressing a lot of our needs in our communities.”
Lax Kw’alaams will receive $98.5 million for a trust fund, road improvements and infrastructure upgrades, 1,942 hectares of Crown land transfers and ongoing annual payments.
Metlakatla First Nation gets $46 million for community, environmental and economic development projects, as well as social initiatives, more than 944 hectares of crown land, and annual payments.
Helin’s band also signed an agreement for the Prince Rupert Gas Transmission, a 900-kilometre pipeline from Hudson’s Hope in the northern interior to the Pacific NorthWest facility.
Chief Harold Leighton of the Metlakatla First Nation says the agreement has already allowed them to upgrade their marine facilities and prepare their members for potential employment.
“Revenue sharing is going to change the communities, and hopefully one day, those communities will be self-sufficient,” he adds.
Despite these agreements, Pacific NorthWest owner Petronas has not made a final investment decision on the project.
