Coastal First Nations is calling for an adjournment of the Joint Review Process for the proposed Northern Gateway Pipeline to allow Enbridge to properly consult with the first nation.
In a notice of motion filed Monday, CFN claimed Enbrige filed its application for a review "without fully and properly consulting" with CFN and that new timelines for the process be set.
It also claimed Enbridge CEO Pat Daniel expressed in a September meeting with the CFN a desire "to undertake a fresh start" with a "fresh piece of paper" and work with CFN to try to augment the Joint Panel Review Process.
Although the motion indicates the CFN, an alliance of Indian bands on B.C.'s northwest coast and Haida Gwaii, is willing to reconsider the project, executive director Art Sterritt said in a statement issued Wednesday that the CFN remains "categorically opposed" to the proposal.
"We unequivocally maintain our ban on oil tankers on the coast," Sterritt said.
Enbridge spokesman Paul Stanway said Enbridge has "never stopped consulting with First Nations."
The company is in "active negotiations," Stanway continued, with respect to a offer of a 10 per cent ownership stake in the project and first nations involvement in construction - the company has promised 15 per cent of those jobs would be for aboriginal people.
None of the First Nations have accepted the equity offer but Stanway said they have until the end of May 2012 to sign on.
Estimated at $5.5 billion, the project consists of a 36-inch pipeline, which would transport diluted bitumen 1,177 kilometres from the Alberta oilsands to Kitimat for transfer onto container ships for shipment to Asia at a rate of 525,000 barrels per day.
A second smaller 20-inch pipeline would send condensate the other way at a rate of 193,000 barrels per day to dilute the bitumen and a terminal with two berths and the capacity to hold five million barrels would be constructed in Kitimat.
Public hearings are scheduled to begin Jan. 10 and last until June 26.
