The leader of a B.C. First Nation clarifies his stance on the Northern Gateway pipeline, emphasizing opposition to reviving the project.
British Columbia: So, here’s the scoop. The president of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs, Grand Chief Stewart Phillip, is backtracking on his earlier comments about the Northern Gateway pipeline. He’s now saying he doesn’t support bringing back what he calls “dead projects.”
In a statement, Phillip made it clear that the pipeline, which was turned down in 2016, would have been a total disaster for the land and waters of B.C. He mentioned that opposing the project was an honor for him.
The union reiterated that the answer to the Northern Gateway pipeline is still a firm no. Phillip also expressed his sincere apologies for any confusion his earlier comments may have caused.
During a news conference, he was asked about Alberta Premier Danielle Smith’s idea of reviving the pipeline due to potential U.S. tariffs on Canadian exports. Phillip initially suggested that Canada might have to reconsider such projects, fearing that if they don’t, the U.S. might move forward without caring about the environment.
However, in his follow-up statement, he emphasized that while it’s wise to think about U.S. tariffs, it doesn’t mean they should start building more pipelines. It’s a tricky situation, but he’s standing firm on protecting the environment.
This news was first reported by The Canadian Press on January 22, 2024. Chuck Chiang from The Canadian Press covered the story.
