National

B.C. First Nation gets environment OK on LNG site

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 14 Mar, 2023 03:53 PM

VICTORIA - The Haisla First Nation on British Columbia's northern coast has been granted a provincial environmental assessment certificate for a floating liquefied natural gas facility.

The B.C. government says the nation, in partnership with Pembina Pipeline Corp., proposes to use electricity to operate the LNG facility and export terminal.

The $3.28-billion terminal will be supplied with natural gas from the Coastal GasLink pipeline, which is still under construction.

A statement from the province says Environment Minister George Heyman and Energy Minister Josie Osborne made their decision after considering a report by the Environmental Assessment Office.

We are committed to taking urgent and innovative actions to fight the climate emergency with a comprehensive plan across all sectors. With this new framework BC will continue to be a climate action leader, while moving quickly to seize emerging opportunities for clean-energy. pic.twitter.com/ctos771ZUO
— George Heyman (@GeorgeHeyman) March 14, 2023

The ministers say in a joint statement that the project takes "all possible measures currently available to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to the lowest feasible level."

The ministers say they agreed that the Cedar LNG project also supports reconciliation with the Haisla Nation, and that they received letters of support or no opposition from several surrounding First Nations.

Ellis Ross, the Skeena member of the legislature and a former chief councillor for the Haisla, says the Indigenous-owned project is one of the greatest examples of economic reconciliation in the province.

LNG Canada is also building a terminal nearby in Kitimat's port for the liquefaction, storage and export of LNG.

The government release says the Cedar LNG project will have an expected export capacity of three million tonnes a year, employing 500 people during construction and 100 people when it's in operation.

Crystal Smith, the chief councillor for the Haisla Nation, says the announcement is a historic step toward their economic self-determination.

"Together with our partner Pembina Pipeline, we are setting a new standard for responsible and sustainable energy development that protects the environment and our traditional way of life."

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

New paid sick leave rules coming into effect

As of Dec. 31, workers who have been continuously employed for at least 30 days will have access to three paid sick days. Workers will then get a fourth sick day as of Feb. 1, and will accumulate one additional day at the start of every month up to a maximum of 10 days per year.

New paid sick leave rules coming into effect

Applications open for dental care benefits

The benefit, to be used toward dental services, is available for children under 12 in families that earn less than $90,000 a year and ranges from $260 to $650 per child depending on net income.

Applications open for dental care benefits

Canada gains on U.S. in permanent resident race

It's a record that will likely be beaten more than once in the coming years, as a Canadian federal immigration plan released earlier this month aims to admit 465,000 new permanent residents in 2023 and 500,000 a year by 2025, with a particular focus on bringing in people with needed skills and experience.

Canada gains on U.S. in permanent resident race

How $10-a-day child care is rolling out in Canada

British Columbia was the first to sign on, inking a $3.2-billion deal in July 2021 with plans to create 30,000 new child-care spaces within five years and 40,000 within seven years. B.C. started a $10-a-day program at select facilities in 2018 and plans to double those spaces to 12,500 this month.

How $10-a-day child care is rolling out in Canada

B.C. public school teachers ratify new contract

It boosts annual salaries for new teachers as much as $8,500 by the end of the third year while B.C.'s highest-paid educators will earn up to $13,500 more over the same period, which Johnston says pushes them above the $100,000-per-year threshold for the first time.

B.C. public school teachers ratify new contract

Arctic cold descends on parts of B.C.

Arctic outflow warnings have been posted for B.C.’s central and northern coasts, with the wind chill predicted at minus 20. Special weather statements are also up for most of Vancouver Island and the south coast, with icy conditions and wind chills near minus 10.