After remaining relatively silent on the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion project, the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) announced Friday that is has been granted intervenor status in the B.C. government’s court of appeal case on the project.
“The AFN has a long history of participating in judicial proceedings where our peoples, their rights and traditional territories are concerned,” said newly re-elected National Chief Perry Bellegarde in a statement. “Any decision in this reference case could have far-reaching impacts for First Nations across the country and the AFN is uniquely positioned to provide a national perspective on these potential impacts.
“It is essential we be there and it’s positive that the court recognizes our unique role.”
In April, the B.C. government asked the court to rule on whether it has the authority to regulate, and place restrictions on companies that transport bitumen through the province. The province has draft legislation written and is waiting on a ruling from the court.
According to the release, the lobby group received intervenor status in June but the issue of the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion project was never raised on the assembly floor by chiefs or the AFN.
The project was also never part of the resolutions chiefs voted on at the annual general assembly despite the fact that B.C. is the epicentre of opposition against the project – and a growing anti-pipeline camp being situated in nearby Burnaby.
Bellegarde did comment on the fight over the pipeline extension to APTN’s Todd Lamirande.
“The whole pipeline dialogue and discussion is very divisive. Premiers are fighting each other. Canadians disagree with it. There’s all sides, even with Chiefs. So you got to go to the rights and title holders. And that’s where that decision rests. It doesn’t rest with any council, the youth council, women’s council. Go to the rights and title holders and that’s where the decision should be made.”
A scan of news releases from the AFN shows that in May, Bellegarde released a neutral statement on the pipeline expansion project saying both sides need to be listened to.
“First Nations have different positions on this project but they all agree and insist that their rights be respected, upheld and honoured by the Crown, and that includes the right to free, prior and informed consent,” Bellegarde said in a statement in May.
The AFN did not say why it took until August to send a release on intervenor status in the case at the time of posting.
Hi it would be nice if aboriginal community’s in Canada work together in the oil and gas industry so we can work in BC to I think if our brother and sister work together because we will only get stronger. if we work a part we are weak.
I notice when the federal government works with aboriginal community’s to make agreements its one at a time. I think that’s weak but if we work as a nation to work as one. BC and Alberta have different agreements why. because that’s what the federal government wants to keep aboriginal community’s weak
Hi it would be nice if aboriginal community’s in Canada work together in the oil and gas industry so we can work in BC to I think if our brother and sister work together because we will only get stronger. if we work a part we are weak.
I notice when the federal government works with aboriginal community’s to make agreements its one at a time. I think that’s weak but if we work as a nation to work as one. BC and Alberta have different agreements why. because that’s what the federal government wants to keep aboriginal community’s weak
What a pile of cr*p!!!!!!! FN
Must follow Original Instructions of Taking care of the land the way our Ancestors. Plus, we FN have never been in so damn much trouble since those apple hang around the fort Indians started taking money from the same7e and as long as they let the same7e boss them around FN lives will worsen
And the hang around the fort Indians will
Take everybody and every living thing down with them.
Hang around the fort Indians like their masters do now t have the merit not the wherewithal to handle a bitumen pipeline. For once in your life follow your original instructions and protect the traditional territories!’!!!
What a pile of cr*p!!!!!!! FN
Must follow Original Instructions of Taking care of the land the way our Ancestors. Plus, we FN have never been in so damn much trouble since those apple hang around the fort Indians started taking money from the same7e and as long as they let the same7e boss them around FN lives will worsen
And the hang around the fort Indians will
Take everybody and every living thing down with them.
Hang around the fort Indians like their masters do now t have the merit not the wherewithal to handle a bitumen pipeline. For once in your life follow your original instructions and protect the traditional territories!’!!!
Well it’s who the Chiefs wanted! I guess they want a pipeline
When are the First Nations going to start paying Provincial sales tax land GST on fuel that they use to drive their cars? I understand that they want to be a part of decision making in Canada. That,s admirable.. Why do they deface the Canadian Flag and walk around with a US protest flag at Camp Cloud?????
He waited because he knew if he’d said anything prior to the AGA, he would not be NC right now….
In essence, he ‘played’ the People.
Well it’s who the Chiefs wanted! I guess they want a pipeline
When are the First Nations going to start paying Provincial sales tax land GST on fuel that they use to drive their cars? I understand that they want to be a part of decision making in Canada. That,s admirable.. Why do they deface the Canadian Flag and walk around with a US protest flag at Camp Cloud?????
He waited because he knew if he’d said anything prior to the AGA, he would not be NC right now….
In essence, he ‘played’ the People.