Supreme Court ruling could effect LNG, Site C: Coastal First Nations

VANCOUVER, B.C. — The BC Supreme Court has ruled against the province in a pipeline battle that Coastal First Nations is calling a serious wake-up call which could impact other projects — like LNG proposals and even the Site C Dam.

The court ruled the provincial government breached its duty to consult with First Nations on the Enbridge Northern Gateway pipeline project.

Outspoken First Nations leader Art Sterritt says, the court also ruled the province can no longer surrender its decision making authority on pipeline projects to the federal government.

Meantime the provincial government is weighing whether or not to appeal the ruling and the court has given it 30 days to do so.

Attorney-General Suzanne Anton say,s regardless of that decision, there will be no drastic changes in how the province consults with First Nations.

Not surprisingly, Opposition Leader John Horgan disagrees.

Meantime, when it comes to Site C, the NDP leader says.

He expects this ruling could have a bearing on the final decision of two current Site C appeal cases, focused on rulings which went against Treaty 8 First Nations last summer — and he adds, for the government: