Pipeline panel withdraws over concerns of safety

The Heiltsuk First Nation is demanding that the National Energy Board’s Northern Gateway pipeline joint review panel return to the coastal community and give them back the day-and-a-half lost in hearings last month.

“Right now we are in discussions with the joint review panel staff people,” said Heiltsuk Chief Marilyn Slett. “We want them to come back to Bella Bella,” she explained.
The pipeline review hearings, which began Jan. 11, are expected to wind through communities in B.C. and Alberta, providing a public platform where people can express their views about the pipeline project.

The Heiltsuk were scheduled to participate in the hearing in their territory April 2 to April 5, but they say their voices were silenced when the review panel began later than planned.

The panel, which was greeted in Heiltsuk territory by chiefs and protestors against the proposed $5.5 billion oil pipeline deal, claimed that its safety and security was at risk and halted proceedings until discussions with Heiltsuk leadership could commence.

“The hearings resumed on Tuesday, April 3 and closed on Thursday, April 5,” explained Kristen Higgins, spokesperson for the National Energy Board.

When asked for details about the specific concerns that prevented the scheduled start of the hearings, Higgins was vague.

“The hearing on Monday was cancelled because of circumstances the panel experienced on Sunday afternoon when the panel arrived in the community. They felt a meaningful hearing could not be achieved until issues were discussed with the community leaders,” Higgins explained in an email.

“The panel needs to be able to receive information from the community in an environment that is safe and secure and where it can be assured that there is a clear understanding of expectations and protocols,” she added.
But Slett said she doesn’t buy the excuses. She said her community has been actively involved in review panels in the past and they knew exactly what to expect.

“Our community is fully aware of this process and what it represents,” said Slett. “[The panel’s actions] didn’t sit well. It was disrespectful to our community.”

“That was just absolutely ridiculous,” agreed Bob Chamberlin, vice president of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs. “I have no idea why they think they would be threatened,” he added.

Chamberlin, who attended the April 1st rally in Bella Bella, said he was outside the airport fence with other traditional singers and drummers as the plane carrying the joint review panel landed and chiefs greeted members.

Chamberlin claims he witnessed nothing that would constitute an unsafe environment for the review panel.
“We sang some beautiful songs and the police were present. I know [the police] had no problem with what was going on,” he said, adding that a majority of those that gathered were youth and children.

Later, Chamberlin claims that the First Nation had invited the panel to share a feast with them but panel members declined the invitation.

“Talk about disrespectful,” said Chamberlin. “That just shows that there is no cultural sensitivity with this review panel, whatsoever,” he exclaimed.

“It’s just a cop-out,” continued Chamberlin. “Are they going to continue to avoid places where they hear the truth? People need to speak.”

Chamberlin said he has not met one First Nations person in favor of the proposed Northern Gateway pipeline.

“I have not heard one utterance, other than government, that [the pipeline] is of national interest,” he said.
Slett said her entire community opposes the plan.

“Our major concern is over the super tankers that would travel the narrow passages,” she said. “One oil spill could be catastrophic to marine resources,” she explained.

The Heiltsuk are not alone in their opposition to the pipeline plan.

Last January, the Gitxsan First Nation hereditary chiefs voted 78 per cent to overturn an agreement to participate in the controversial oil pipeline project. The agreement would have generated $7 million for the band.

On Dec 2, 2011, the Gitxan Treaty Sociey chief negotiator, Elmer Derrick, signed on to the pipeline project with Calgary-based Oil Company, Enbridge Inc, causing a firestorm of controversy among band members and leaders.
Enbridge has offered Aboriginal communities affected a share in 10 per cent of the pipeline’s ownership, as well as $1 billion in community development money.

But Slett said she just wants the voices of her community properly heard.

“We want [the panel] to come back to Bella Bella for an additional day,” she said, explaining that the statements of nine speakers scheduled April 2 had to be cancelled.
“That’s a lot of people,” Slett said of those unheard. “[Those are] Elders, cultural leaders and community members,” she added.

Slett admitted that the joint review panel had offered the Heiltsuk community an extra day following the Klemtu hearings held April 11 and April 12, but the band declined, explaining that they needed more notice to allow out-of-town speakers to plan for an allocated hearing day.

Slett also said the panel had suggested that the Heiltsuk video record or write their comments to add to the final report, however, she said the band deserves to be respectfully acknowledged and not pacified through indirect communication with the board.

Higgins didn’t say when, or if, the Heiltsuk people will be given back the lost hearing time.

“Panel staff are working with the Heiltsuk leadership to ensure that the information from the community becomes part of the public record. To my understanding, those discussions are still going on,” Higgins confirmed.
Chamberlin said he supports the Heiltsuk First Nation’s demand for their lost hearing time.

“Canadians should not be denied their due process and as First Nations we have to constitutionally protect rights,” said Chamberlin. “The government needs to start respecting that in the fullest and broadest sense.”

The joint review panel consists of members from the National Energy Board and the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency.

Technical hearings are also set for the fall. The entire process is slated to end in spring 2013.

Panel discussions are planned following the hearing, after which the federal government will have the final say on the project.