October 04, 2010
Union of BC Municipalities and First Nations Summit pass resolutions opposing EnbridgeFrançais
On Friday October 1st, 2010 two prominent provincial organizations representing municipalities and First Nations across British Columbia passed resolutions opposing Enbridge’s proposed pipeline.
The resolutions, by the Union of British Columbia Municipalities and the First Nations Summit, mark a clear and growing opposition to the pipeline and tanker proposal.
For news on the resolutions see: The Calgary Herald: Enbridge pipeline opposition growing in B.C..
The Globe and Mail also ran a story with some background on the resolution and coverage of the UBCM meeting here Proposed oil pipeline heats up jobs-versus-environment debate in B.C.
Also check out the press release from West Coast Environmental Law on the First Nations Summit here: First Nations Chiefs Send Strong Message to Ottawa
The full text of the resolutions follows:
Union of British Columbia Municipalities
B139 BULK CRUDE OIL TANKER TRAFFIC
WHEREAS the Enbridge Northern Gateway Project will result in increased crude oil tanker traffic and risk of accidental oil spills in northern coastal waters in British Columbia;
AND WHEREAS a crude oil spill will have devastating and long lasting effects on the Pacific North Coast area that is recognized for its unique and diverse ocean ecosystems, which provide critical marine habitat and marine resources that sustain the social, cultural, environmental and economic health of coastal communities, including First Nations communities:
Therefore be it resolved that the UBCM be opposed to any expansion of bulk crude oil tanker traffic in Dixon Entrance, Hecate Strait and Queen Charlotte Sound in British Columbia;
And be it further resolved that the UBCM petition the federal government to establish a legislated ban on bulk crude oil tanker traffic through Dixon Entrance, Hecate Strait and Queen Charlotte Sound in British Columbia
B140 TAR SANDS OIL
Therefore be it resolved that the UBCM oppose tar sands oil being shipped in pipelines across northern BC for loading onto crude oil tankers.
First Nations Summit Chief’s Council
SOLIDARITY OF NATIONS IN RELATION TO THE PROPOSED ENBRIDGE NORTHERN GATEWAY PIPELINES
WHEREAS
A. The Enbridge Northern Gateway Pipelines project (the Pipeline) is proposed to carry crude oil and toxic condensate through the territories of numerous First Nations in Northern BC, in the headwaters of the Skeena, Fraser and Mackenzie river systems, resulting in significant potential environmental, cultural, legal and socioeconomic impacts both for First Nations along the route, and for many more First Nations downstream and upstream of the Pipeline route in the Skeena, Fraser and Mackenzie watersheds.
B. The oil tankers associated with the Pipeline are proposed to carry crude oil and toxic condensate through the territories and waters of the Coastal First Nations, who declared on March 23, 2010, based in their law and authority, that they would not permit tar sands oil tankers to travel through their waters.
C. The Pipeline and Tankers pose a significant threat to First Nations sustenance, livelihoods and cultures, and to the ability of First Nations to exercise their Aboriginal title and rights, particularly through the potential for devastating oil spills into rivers, into the sea and onto the coast, which has been tragically underlined in the Gulf of Mexico oil spill and Enbridge’s oil spills in Michigan and Illinois.
D. Numerous affected First Nations have declared that their territories must not be placed at risk from oil pipelines and oil tanker traffic.
E. In 2006, the federal government referred the Pipeline to a joint review panel to conduct the environmental assessment and regulatory review process, without consulting affected First Nations on this process and without determining how Aboriginal title and rights would be addressed.
F. The First Nations Summit Chiefs in Assembly joined over half of the affected First Nations and called on the federal government not to establish the Joint Review Panel for the Enbridge Northern Gateway Pipelines project until an agreement was reached with affected First Nations on an independent First Nations Review Process that includes a shared decision-making process (as directed in Resolution 1108.05 of November 28, 2008, see also
Resolution #1206.05 of December 1, 2006).
G. The federal government established the Joint Review Panel in spite of these calls, and its work is proceeding without any negotiated shared decision-making process, failing to respect the Aboriginal title and rights of affected First Nations, including the right to make decisions and manage their territories, lands and waters.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED
That the First Nations Summit Chiefs in Assembly call on the federal government not to proceed further or to approve the Enbridge Northern Gateway Pipelines project without the free, prior and informed consent of the affected First Nations.
Dated: October 1, 2010
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