Internal emails show concerns over consultation for Northern Gateway

An email obtained by the Haisla Nation, an access to information request filed almost four years ago, shows that Environment Canada had concerns with the Government of Canada’s proposed consultation approach for the Northern Gateway Pipeline Project. Some of the concerns outlined in the email, dated Sept. 1, 2009, included: First Nations not involved in the design of the consultation; “limited or no opportunity” for government departments to engage with Aboriginal groups before a decision was rendered by the Joint Review Panel; and “lack of clarity” about First Nations’ rights and title consideration. The Northern Gateway pipeline project proposes the construction of 1,178 kilometres of twin diluted bitumen and condensate pipelines from Bruderheim, AB, and a marine terminal near Kitimat BC, in Haisla Nation Territory. A Transport Canada email dated August 31, 2009, also identified its concern that the consultation approach was not flexible enough to respond to changing circumstances or incoming information.