Calls made to reject northwestern B.C. LNG site

A MEMBER of a local environmental group hopes the new federal Liberal government pays attention to a letter it sent calling for the rejection of a planned LNG export plant on Lelu Island near Prince Rupert.

“I am feeling very optimistic about that,” says Christie Brown of Northwest Watch of the switch in Ottawa from the previous Conservative government. “It's exciting to have a new party in power.”

The letter, written by Tsimshian hereditary chief Donald Wesley and signed by 70 people and groups including First Nations leaders, scientists and businesses, was sent in tandem with another one from United Fishermen and Allied Workers’ Union-Unifor saying a LNG plant on Lelu Island wanted by Pacific NorthWest LNG would be too harmful to young Skeena River salmon.

“The federal government has taken steps to reconcile with First Nations over the years,” Brown added. “And respecting the tribal-inherited properties is a huge part of reconciliation.”