Some excellent comments to The Tyee article:
The RCMP have been overheard in the Wet’suwet’en Nation calling their rifles “Reconciliation Sticks”. This was reported on the CBC Vancouver Island morning radio program February 21, 2020.
pwlg
Forced to discuss what? The EAO, the governing NDP, Horgan and Heyman, just don’t get it. Their colonial minds (covert racism) still cling to the idea that the land belongs to the Province of BC. Indigenous nations in BC have had to deal with quid pro quo ultimatums for decades from both provincial and federal governments. Even now during treaty negotiations if a nation balks at government conditions, the government stalls or walks away from the table. Treaty negotiations by previous governments including the current NDP have been dishonourable to say the least.
Maureen Brannigan pwlg
I’m beyond disgusted with Coastal Gas and the Government. How can they possibly claim they don’t want another Oka when they are doing the same thing again and again. Of the ten million sq miles that makes up Canada they must put the pipeline on land that covers only 22,000 sq [km]. This will not end well.
John Merriman Maureen Brannigan
The Wet’suwet’en territory is about 22,000 sq km, that is about 8,500 sq miles.
The size of the territory is not really the issue.
The government does not want to admit that it has illegally overridden indigenous rights all these many years, or set a precedent for doing things any differently by acceding to their demands now.
political ranger
I’d like to see Ms Hosgood get some serious journalistic support for this story. It is more than a little obvious that the gov’t of BC has been leading for a specific outcome on this file.
As well, as anyone with even a passing experience working with senior gov’t bureaucrats in the BC environment and resource business knows, these people are flaming racists and bigots. There is no way up the chain of command without overt displays of obeisance to industry and disrespect for Indians and environmentalists.
The BC gov’t has a long history of cutting corners and providing favours to it’s friends – and doing it incompetently. This seems to be just another example.
Amidst National Crisis, Province Gives Unist’ot’en an Ultimatum, Meet with pipeline company within 30 days or decision will be made without you, Environmental Assessment Office says by Amanda Follett Hosgood, Feb 21, 2020, The Tyee
On the same day Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said rail blockades protesting a pipeline through Wet’suwet’en territory must end, B.C.’s Environmental Assessment Office gave the Unist’ot’en, a house group of the Wet’suwet’en, 30 days to engage with the pipeline company or be left out of the assessment process.
The office found Coastal GasLink had not provided the information needed to allow the office to assess the project’s impact. …
In a news release, Tait questioned the timing of the province’s directive.
“It is very distressing, after we’ve faced assault rifles and endured arrests at the beckoning of CGL, to now be advised by EAO to work collaboratively with them to address these gaps. We urge the province to take this opportunity to respect the rule of law and follow the processes laid out to protect both our rights and the environment,” Tait’s statement said.
“We identified the gaps in CGL’s report months ago, by letters and in person. Had the province intervened to confirm the report’s shortcomings, they could have prevented the injunction enforcement, sparing us the violent removal from our lands and sparing the country the subsequent economic pressures of solidarity actions,” it continued.
“The continued presence of the CGL and the RCMP on our territory is unlawful and this decision by EAO gives the province grounds to call for their immediate evacuation.”
The Unist’ot’en described the Environmental Assessment Office’s announcement as a victory.
“By rejecting CGL’s final report, the EAO has denied CGL authorization to proceed with construction in the heart of the Gidimt’en and Unist’ot’en yintah [land] central to the ongoing eviction of pipeline contractors by Wet’suwet’en Hereditary Chiefs,” its statement said.
However, in a media briefing Friday afternoon the province denied that the report, required as a condition of the company’s 2014 environmental assessment certificate, had been rejected. …
In the meantime, pre-construction activities have already been conducted in the disputed area and will continue during the 30-day period.
Coastal GasLink sent back to the table with Indigenous leaders, Provincial officials give company 30 days to address Wet’suwet’en concerns by Tanya Fletcher, CBC News, Feb 21, 2020
Coastal GasLink must consult further with Indigenous communities along a stretch of its pipeline route at the heart of the Wet’suwet’en conflict, say B.C. officials.
Until then, construction cannot take place along the key, 18-kilometre portion.
The company has been given 30 days by the province’s Environmental Assessment Office (EAO) to hold those talks before resubmitting its final report for approval.
Protests in support of the Wet’suwet’en hereditary chiefs who oppose the pipeline on their traditional territory have disrupted cargo and passenger rail traffic across the country.
In a letter, obtained by CBC News, to both sides, the EAO says it received feedback from some Indigenous groups, and this week determined there are particular issues that still need to be addressed in order for the project to go forward.
The project was previously approved by the province, pending certain conditions.
The letter, dated Wednesday, asks the company to provide more details about the pipeline, such as how construction might affect the nearby Unist’ot’en Healing Centre.
“[Coastal GasLink] should [industry’s fav escape hatch word] make efforts to gather and consider additional information in relation to these activities, including from [Unist’ot’en] Dark House and the Office of the Wet’suwet’en,” the letter reads, adding that information should be gathered respectfully.
It goes on to suggest the Dark House — one of the hereditary groups central to the dispute — discuss its concerns or meet directly with Coastal GasLink within the next 30 days. [EXTREMELY ABUSIVE AND VULGAR OF THE PROVINCE’S ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT OFFICE. IT’S LIKE TELLING A GROUP OF GANG RAPE VICTIMS TO SIT DOWN AND CHAT IT OUT OVER TEA AND COOKIES WITH THEIR RAPISTS SO THAT THE RAPISTS CAN GANG RAPE THEM AGAIN, WITH THE RCMP IN ON THE RAPING.]
“[Coastal GasLink] must track all engagement efforts, any feedback received and how it was addressed, incorporated, or otherwise considered.”
The EAO will then review the report once its resubmitted and ultimately decide whether to approve it and allow construction to proceed. [WHILE TRUDEAU IS PUBLICLY ORDERING THAT THE BLOCKADES MUST COME DOWN? PISS WEAK LEADER. THE RCMP, COASTAL GASLINK AND HORGAN ET AL MUST BE PUNISHED, SEVERELY.]
The company says it will respond to the issues raised in the letter and again attempt to engage with the community.
“Coastal GasLink hopes that engagement commences shortly to ensure Dark House concerns are addressed in the 30-day process,” the company said in a statement.
It also pointed out the area near the healing centre was behind a blockade until January, and therefore has not seen any construction.
This decision by EAO gives the province grounds to call for their immediate evacuation.
– Karla Tait, Unist’ot’en Member
Coastal GasLink said if the EAO approves its updated report after these additional consultations, the “short delay” will not affect the pipeline’s overall spring construction schedule.
B.C.’s ministry of environment says the 30-day period allows both sides to engage in open and constructive dialogue.
“This is an example of B.C.’s regulatory system working as it should,” George Heyman said in a statement to CBC News. [BY INVADING WITH HEAVILY ARMED SNIPERS & RCMP BEFORE THE COMPANY’S WORK WAS DONE? THIS IS THE BC GOVT, RCMP AND COASTAL GASLINK ABUSING PEOPLE AND INVADING TO GET WHAT THEY WANT. AND MOST HARMFUL AND LIKELY INTENTIONAL: DIVIDING CANADIANS AND INFLAMING RACISTS]
But members of the Unist’ot’en say they identified gaps in Coastal GasLink’s report on how it’s meeting those conditions months ago.
“Had the province intervened to confirm the reports’ shortcomings, they could have prevented the [RCMP’s] injunction enforcement, sparing us the violent removal from our lands and sparing the country the subsequent economic pressures of solidarity actions,” said Karla Tait, spokesperson for the healing centre.
She said the continued presence of the company and the RCMP on their territory is unlawful.
“This decision by EAO gives the province grounds to call for their immediate evacuation,” [but the cowardly politicians won’t dare and don’t have what it takes to lead] Tait said in a statement.
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