VANCOUVER, BC – In a major step for Indigenous rights and the communities fighting Kinder Morgan’s pipeline, the Province of British Columbia has announced legal and regulatory steps to delay and stop the project.

 

“This is a monumental day and a crucial move forward to victory against this reckless pipeline,” said Wilderness Committee Climate Campaigner Peter McCartney. “To see the provincial government standing with Indigenous peoples and defending their rights warms my heart.”

 

The Province has hired Thomas Berger, a British Columbian who has advanced the cause of justice for Indigenous people over his long and outstanding professional career. 

 

“Berger has been enforcing Indigenous rights his entire life,” said McCartney. “He is the perfect  person to defend First Nations in court.”

 

Two-thirds of First Nations affected by the proposal have not given their consent to the pipeline and 15 court cases have been launched due to inadequate consultation. Indigenous peoples’ right to determine what happens on their territory is enshrined in the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous peoples, which both the provincial and federal governments have endorsed. 

 

“Indigenous communities have been abundantly clear — this pipeline shall not pass,” said McCartney. “Now it’s up to the courts, with the urging of one of Canada’s top minds on Indigenous rights, to back them up.”

 

Today’s announcement also revealed that construction on the pipeline on public lands would not be able to commence in September because of five delayed environmental management plans. 

 

“We’re beyond relieved that Kinder Morgan won’t be able to put shovels in the ground next month,” said McCartney. “But even if the courts fail to stop this pipeline, the citizens of British Columbia are preparing to do what it takes.”

 

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Peter McCartney | Climate Campaigner, Wilderness Committee

778-239-1935, peter@wildernesscommittee.org