The provincial government attempted to clarify its position on oil pipelines on Monday, but Terry Teegee ended up more confused than ever.
Teegee, the newly-elected chief for the Carrier Sekani Tribal Council, still isn't sure where the province stands when it comes to First Nations participation in the approval process for projects like the proposed Northern Gateway pipeline.
One of the five conditions the province laid out on Monday was companies like Enbridge -- the energy giant behind the megaproject -- must adequately consult with First Nations and provide them with opportunities to benefit economically. However, Mary Polak, minister of aboriginal relations and reconciliation, was unable to provide specifics on what would be considered sufficient consultation.
"It's a bit of a contradiction," Teegee said. "(Polak said) that rights and treaties must be met or no support for oil pipelines, but she also stated that First Nations don't have veto power over the the approval of the pipeline."
Northern Gateway is the largest and most expensive proposed pipeline on the province's plate at the moment. Enbridge wants to connect Alberta's oil sands to the port of Kitimat so that Canadian crude can be shipped to Asia.
The province said its support for the project is conditional on four other items: approval from the federal Joint Review Panel; assurances from Enbridge that the capacity is there for the cleanup if a spill happens in the pipe; promises from the federal government its capable of dealing with a potential spill from a tanker; and a better financial deal for the province.
Enbridge will spend some time reviewing the province's demands, but is willing to engage in talks on all five conditions -- including the possibility that BC is inline for more economic benefits.
"We welcome the input and we welcome the dialogue that comes from this input," company spokesman Todd Nogier said. "On that front we're looking forward to very specific conversations."
The five-point plan hasn't gone far enough to convince one local environmental group the government has gone far enough.
"We don't feel any assurance would be enough because you cannot guarantee there will not be a spill and any risk of a spill is unacceptable," said Sonja Ostertag, a spokeswoman of the Sea to Sands Conservation Alliance, adding her group said the government should take a stand now and not wait for the review panel to complete its work next year.
Meanwhile, Prince George Mayor Shari Green and Art Kaehn, regional district of Fraser-Fort George chairman, are both waiting for the results of the federal Joint Review Panel before taking a position on the pipeline.
While talks take place between Enbridge and various levels of government about how to meet the province's conditions, opponents of the pipeline plan to remain active in getting their message out.
Ostertag said her group will work through the political process to try to block the pipeline while
Teegee said his organization will explore their legal options.
"I can tell you right now our people will not support this pipeline regardless of what the Liberals are saying right now," Teegee said.
-- with files from Charelle Evelyn
