Gov’t emails reveal concerns over First Nation consultation on Enbridge Northern Gateway – The Vancouver Observer
A damning email obtained by a northern B.C. First Nation shows the federal government’s own staff had serious concerns about the Crown’s consultation process with First Nations.
“First Nations were not involved in the design of the consultation process,” a Environment Canada representative wrote in 2009.
It was just one of several concerns raised by Environment Canada staff when asked to comment on First Nation consultation for Enbridge’s Northern Gateway Pipeline Project, according to internal government emails.
In the email obtained by the Haisla First Nation through an Access of Information request, government staff said they “remained concerned with the proposed approach to consultation” and that the government’s approach provides “limited or no opportunity for responsible authorities to engage with Aboriginal groups” until after the Joint Review Panel’s report is completed.
