Enbridge interviewed 2008
- Ten percent equity for First Nations in Northern Gateway Pipeline Project
The Enbridge Pipeline Northern Gateway Project is back in the news after sitting on the shelf since 2005. The Enbridge people have scheduled a series of public meetings called Open Houses in October and November this year in Alberta and B.C..
Roger Harris is Vice President of Community and Aboriginal Partnerships and he told Native Journal, “We do have a number of processes to address the issues including workshops, 800-numbers,” and a major plan to get out and meet and greet the general public.
Then come the First Nation liaisons, which are presently unscheduled in order to maximize the flexibility required for accommodation, he explained.
”We are preparing our First Nation meetings at their convenience,” Roger said, and the process is underway to some degree. “I've been have meetings since May this year."
He took the VP job in March, “We want them to help us design the project, including their short term and long term involvement.” So far, said Roger, “We have been very well received.”
To his mind the short term benefits are less important than the long term ones.
The pipeline construction is a linear project, five years and it's gone. I want the people to have business opportunities in a $4.5 billion (2006$) project,” which price, he said will undeoubtedly go much higher.
He also addressed the impact on the environment of the Northern Gateway Pipeline, “We will look to First Nations for environmental monitoring and we will offer equity partnerships of up to 10 percent of the project.”
In fact Enbridge will be providing capacity-building to the communities, training welders and tradespeople for jobs to found in half-a-dozen construction camps along the route.
“The trades aspect in pipeline construction is only a three year window of opportunity, from 2001 to 2015,” he said. “Between now and then we are laying the groundwork. We've been investing in learning institutions, for example, Kitimat Valley Institute in has received $30,000 a year for the past couple of years.
“First we need to know where the line will be laid,” and who is affected and how. Roger takes the project to heart because he settled his family in Terrace and his adult children stayed. He spent 20 years in Haida Gwaii, and has an understanding of First Nations politics. He was MLA for Skeena.
He said, “I have priorities for this project like, one, it has to be environmentally sustainable. Two, the economic activity is huge so the focus has to be on the communities where it comes through.”
Enbridge will engage the environmental concerns, and even make the project a stimulus to increasing the environmental awareness already found in the Interior and coast of B.C..
“The ports of the northern coast,” said Roger, “are expanding in Prince Rupert, Kitimat, and there is serious discussion about Stewart, B.C.,” next door to Hyder, Alaska, “turning into an international seaport,” And Roger shared a reminder the Alcan is expanding their aluminum smelter in Kitimat.
“We see the Gateway Project as a catalyst to increase the capacity of environmental stewardship,” on the coast and on the rest of the pipeline route.
So Enbridge is deeply committed to learning how to involve First Nation communities in safeguarding an infrastructure to create a comfort zone in the territories.
The Delgamuukw decision of the Supreme Court of Canada called for 'accommodation' of Aboriginal Rights and Title inherent to the First Nations.
“If it wasn't the law we would want to do it anyway. We are going to be innovative,” to find the accommodation, "and that is what the equity ownership percents are all about."
Enbridge wants to learn what parts of the lands involved are 'special', “We want to avoid going through the Skeena,” which sounds (ahem) unlikely, since the Skeena is the largest pristine watershed remaining on Mother Earth, even when it arrives at Kitimat.
Here is the schedule of meetings:
Week # 1
October 20th - Whitecourt October 21st - Mayerthorpe October 22nd - Morinville October 23rd - Bon Accord October 24th - Bruderheim
Week # 2
November 3rd - Tumbler Ridge November 4th - Dawson Creek November 5th - Fox Creek November 6th - Grande Prairie
Week # 3 November 17th - Kitimat November 18th - Prince Rupert November 19th - Terrace November 20th - Houston November 21st - Smithers
Week # 4 November 24th - Burns Lake November 25th - Fort St. James November 26th - Vanderhoof November 27th - Prince George
Roger Harris phone is 1-604-###-#### to inquire about unscheduled meetings.
