Northern Gateway crew conducting spill response survey evicted from First Nation site

HARTLEY BAY, B.C.—Members of the Gitga’at Nation say they have evicted a Northern Gateway Pipelines crew from their territory on the north coast of British Columbia as it tried to conduct oil spill response surveys.

The small First Nation of Hartley Bay says the crew showed up uninvited to carry out work on a project that has not been approved—and that the Gitga’at continue to oppose.

Coun. Marven Robinson says Calgary-based Enbridge, the proponent of the 1,600-kilometre pipeline and oil tanker port, has “screwed-up” relations with First Nations and continues to do so.

Consultation with native bands has been a major stumbling block for the $6-billion project that would connect the Alberta oil sands to Asian markets.

Many in the industry are hopeful that a surprise Liberal victory in B.C.’s provincial election this week renews hope that the much-maligned project may yet go ahead.

The federal review panel weighing the project will begin hearing final arguments next month in Terrace, and must issue its report to the federal government by the end of the year.