PRINCE RUPERT, B.C. — The Port of Prince Rupert has ordered opponents of a proposed liquefied natural gas plant to stop constructing a protest camp on Lelu Island on B.C.'s north coast.
A notice ordering an end to construction activities was issued Monday morning after the port consulted with the leadership of local Coast Tsimshian communities, part of the Lax Kw’alaams First Nation.
Port of Prince Rupert CEO Don Drusel says the port respects safe and peaceful expressions of opinion, but construction of makeshift shelters does not meet that definition and is not authorized.
The federal government is expected to make a decision within weeks on the proposed Pacific NorthWest LNG export terminal on the island, about 15 kilometres south of the Prince Rupert port.
Lax Kw'alaams Mayor Jonn Helin sent a letter to federal officials in March, announcing the First Nation would conditionally support the Lelu Island terminal, as long as two environmental conditions were met.
That letter sparked a protest within the First Nation as members demonstrated Friday outside the Lax Kw'alaams office in Port Simpson, arguing they were not consulted.
