Dakelh Territory, Prince George, British Columbia. Canada. The Carrier Sekani Tribal Council (CSTC) has reviewed the House of Commons Standing Committee Report on the future of the Canadian Environmental Assessment (CEAA) Act and warns investors and the Federal government that the recommendations contained in the document are not acceptable. The Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development undertook the statutory review of the CEAA Act and released the report on Tuesday this week.
Carrier Sekani Tribal Council Tribal Chief David Luggi states, “We expected an improvement to the CEAA process, not a death nail in a coffin, for an activity that is supposed to ensure environmental accountability. We’ve been concerned about the environmental assessment process for years. This latest report proves the current environmental assessment process is failing First Nations and the general public now and in the future if the Harper government is allowed to ‘rubber stamp’ projects.”
The CSTC finds the report is indicative of the federal government’s push to expand the tar sands at any costs. The Harper government has already expressed its interest in seeing the Enbridge Northern Gateway pipeline built to move the tar sands to new markets in Asia and Southern United States.
CSTC Vice Tribal Chief Terry Teegee referenced the recent internal CEAA warnings that were leaked to the media last week and stated, “CEAA staff are warning top federal officials that adverse legal consequences are imminent if the federal government does not adequately consult First Nations. The CEAA Committee Report that includes an accelerated environmental assessment process with fewer resources for First Nations to engage will undoubtedly lead to the opposite result.”
The Carrier Sekani Tribal Council urges the Prime Minister Harper to reject the report and work with the CSTC and other First Nations organizations on a joint solution.
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For more information please contact:
Tribal Chief David Luggi: Office (250) 562-6279 e.222. Cell: (250) 640-6622
Vice Tribal Chief Terry Teegee: Office (250) 562-6279 e.223. Cell: (250) 640-3256