Feds Defend Pacific Northwest LNG Decision As Court Challenges Filed

VANCOUVER — The federal government is standing behind its decision to approve the massive Pacific NorthWest LNG project, despite facing new court challenges and accusations that it has broken climate promises.

 

Two First Nations and an environmental group filed separate applications for judicial review in Federal Court on Thursday. The actions aim to quash the government's approval of the $11.4-billion export terminal near Prince Rupert on Britsh Columbia's northern coast.

 

The Gitwilgyoots Tribe and Gitanyow Hereditary Chiefs allege the government failed to properly consult with them, while SkeenaWild Conservation Trust is challenging the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency's conclusion that the project won't have a significant impact on salmon.

 

Greg Knox, executive director of SkeenaWild, told reporters outside Vancouver's Federal Court that the government's decision to approve the project was disappointing given the "incredible promises" Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made on climate change.

 

"He said that he was going to balance the economy with the environment," Knox said. "How can you place an $11-billion industrial facility right over top of the most critical salmon habitat in Canada and protect the environment?"

 

The project, which is majority-owned by Malaysia's state oil company Petronas, would place a natural gas liquefaction facility and export terminal on Lelu Island at the mouth of the Skeena River. The area, called Flora Bank, is a juvenile salmon habitat.

 

Environment Minister Catherine McKenna announced Sept. 27 the government would approve the project subject to 190 conditions, including a cap on carbon emissions.

 

She defended the decision Thursday in a statement asserting that the project underwent a rigorous three-year assessment. Indigenous groups participated in the process and will be part of a first-ever "monitoring committee" along with the federal and provincial governments, she said.