CALGARY — A B.C. First Nation is asking the Canada Energy Regulator to release its reasons as soon as possible for allowing a modification of the Trans Mountain pipeline's route.
In a letter to the regulator dated Wednesday, a lawyer representing the Stk’emlúpsemc te Secwépemc Nation (SSN) said the decision to grant the route deviation Monday without providing its reasons has left the First Nation without the ability to decide its next steps.
The Canada Energy Regulator has approved Trans Mountain Corp.'s application to modify the pipeline's route, a decision that could spare the government-owned pipeline project from an additional nine-month delay.
The regulator made the ruling Monday, just one week after hearing oral arguments from Trans Mountain and a B.C. First Nation that opposes the route change.
It didn't release the reasons for its decision Monday, saying those will be publicized in the coming weeks.
Speaking at the Climate Ambition Summit in New York City on Wednesday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was grilled for Canada’s massive oil and gas expansion at a time when climate science demands fossil fuels be rapidly phased out.
"One of the biggest stories in the country right now is the blowback Ottawa is getting from the provinces over policies with high public support (like oil and gas emissions cap). Fossil fuel captured provinces are at war over climate policy." John Woodside - Twitter
