Why B.C.'s LNG has the Aboriginal support that Trans Mountain doesn't
Special to Financial Post by Christy Clark
Published April 24, 2018
An article in Saturday’s edition of the National Post examined the divergent, complicated and conflicting views of First Nations in B.C. and Alberta affected by the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion, but it also made an interesting point about First Nations’ widespread support for Liquid Natural Gas projects. “While B.C. First Nations have been lukewarm on oil pipelines coming from Alberta, on LNG there is palpable Indigenous disappointment that there isn’t enough development,” explained reporter Tristin Hopper.
B.C.’s experience with LNG offers important lessons for anyone who wants, as I do, to see pipelines built. There are three big reasons why our province was successful in securing broad support from First Nations in developing a new LNG industry. All of them came from our decision to ensure the active involvement for everyone involved — government, industry, and First Nations — so that benefits would be shared by everyone.