Lacklustre support from BC First Nations signals trouble for LNG facility – The Globe and Mail
May. 10 2015
In a wave, row after row, members of the Lax Kw’alaams band rose from their seats last week to vote No to the generational opportunity of liquefied natural gas. The effect of their decision could reach distant shores where investors are poised to decide if they will commit tens of billions of dollars to building an LNG industry in British Columbia.
The 3,600 members of this Tsimshian First Nation in Prince Rupert have been offered more than $1.1-billion in exchange for their consent to the construction of the Pacific NorthWest LNG facility. Their final answer will be determined by the elected band council, but based on initial votes, there is no enthusiasm for the riches on offer.
Other First Nations have already agreed to the plan, which includes a pipeline to bring natural gas from the northeast corner of the province. But this one group, based on a standing vote by a few hundred band members, could toss a wrench into plans for a $36-billion project.
