B.C. Government and Service Employees’ Union signed a solidarity accord

The B.C. Government and Service Employees’ Union signed a solidarity accord Feb. 4, which commits its opposition to pipelines running through 130 First Nations’ territories. Representing thousands of employees, the union affirm its support of the Save the Fraser declaration, which bans Northern Gateway or other similar pipeline projects from crossing the territories of signatory nations. The accord, said the union, was years in the making.

The union said it supported the B.C. Supreme Court ruling that found the province failed to consult with First Nations on Northern Gateway. Union Treasurer Paul Finch said governments have a legal and moral duty to engage First Nations in meaningful consultations, and B.C. has “spectacularly failed in this responsibility.

“We’re in favour of resource development projects. They just have to be done right,” he said.