Prince George Citizen February 28, 2019 by Prince George Citizen

Thursday, February 28, 2019 | Your community newspaper since 1916

CITIZEN PHOTO BY BRENT BRAATEN

The Lheidli T’enneh First Nation announced Wednesday morning that it is seeking a court injunction against Enbridge over a pipeline explosion on Oct. 9, 2018 on their traditional territory.

Lheidli T’enneh demands pipelines removed First Nation seeks court injunction against Enbridge following October gas explosion Frank PEEBLES Citizen staff fpeebles@pgcitizen.ca Enbridge must turn off the natural gas flowing through Prince George and must remove the two pipelines it runs through the area, the Lheidli T’enneh First Nation is demanding in a court injunction filed Wednesday against the giant energy company. “First and foremost, the lawsuit is about protecting human lives,” said Chief Dominic Frederick. “We are not opposed to industrial activity and the energy sector, but we are opposed to the unsafe transportation of hydrocarbons.” The Lheidli T’enneh’s contention is that Enbridge has not behaved responsibly since the explosion of their natural gas pipeline on Oct. 9 about 15 kilometres north of Prince George, but only about 500 metres from the residential reserve where about 80 Lheidli people had to flee. Their only path of escape was past the very fireball that threatened them. The mood was one of panic, exacerbated by the fear that one explosion would be followed by others.

FREDERICK

MACPHERSON

Since the fire was put out, said Frederick, Enbridge went ahead without LTFN permission or consultation and started up the pipeline again. When the company was asked what caused the blast, the First Nation was told that was not known. “Our other core message is our lives should not come as afterthoughts (to profits and shareholders),” Frederick said, flanked by dozens of LTFN members, including elders, elected leaders like himself, First Nations staff and their lawyer on this matter, Malcolm Macpherson. Frederick explained that some Lheidli people still experience

nightmares and anxieties over memories of that violent night, and unabated fear that it will happen again, without warning, at any moment’s notice. “It is not business as usual for us,” he said, “yet Enbridge has acted towards us like it is still pre-1982 (the year Aboriginal rights were enshrined in the Canadian Constitution). It would appear that Enbridge didn’t learn any lessons in dealing with Indigenous communities during its failed attempt to build the Northern Gateway (oil pipeline) project. It had over 10 years to become an industry leader on how to properly commu-

nicate with and engage with First Nations communities and leadership. Enbridge has been very disrespectful in dealing with us in the time since the explosion.” It is the First Nation’s perspective that they can instruct Enbridge to remove the threat they are perceived to pose. That, said Frederick, goes for all the other pipelines and other infrastructure businesses and unpartnered governments have placed on their sprawling territory in the middle of the province. “We’ve watched too long as companies in the energy, forestry, mining, and transportation sectors make billions doing business on our traditional territory, at our expense,” he said. “It is a new day for doing business in Lheidli T’enneh traditional territory. We are the rightful owners of our land, and we will be treated with the respect and recognition that landowners deserve. It is our aspiration to become true partners in all aspects of industry and business development on our lands, including safety and emergency response. We will reclaim our position as the rightful stewards of our lands and resources. Our message to business is this: include us true partners. Share the benefits and opportunities that come from responsible resource and project development, and together we can achieve a vibrant, safe, and sustainable future. If you choose to ignore us, as Enbridge has in the time since the explosion, we will see you in court and use every means available to challenge you.”

Shutting down pipelines‘not in the public interest,’Enbridge says

CITIZEN FILE PHOTO

Enbridge crews work to repair a natural gas pipeline following an explosion 15 kilometres north of Prince George in October.

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Enbridge’s senior corporate communications advisor issued a written respsonse to the Lheidli T’enneh’s lawsuit. Here it is in full: “Enbridge’s natural gas pipeline system has been operating in B.C. for more than 60 years. Throughout that time, we have had strong relationships with many Indigenous communities near our pipeline system, including the Lheidli T’enneh First Nation. “The natural gas transported by our pipeline system is a critical piece of energy infrastructure, the operation of which was determined by the National Energy Board to be in the public interest. “The gas transported by this system is used to heat homes, hospitals, businesses and schools. It is also used as a fuel for electric power generation and is a staple in a number of industrial and manufactur-

WilsonRaybould, Cohen testify NEWS 4

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ing processes that produce products that improve our lives. “It is not in the public interest to stop operating a critical piece of energy infrastructure that millions of people in B.C. and the U.S. Pacific Northwest rely on every day. “At Enbridge, safety is our number one priority. “Following the incident on our natural gas pipeline north of Prince George, B.C. on Oct. 9, 2018, Enbridge has been advancing a comprehensive safety and integrity review of our natural gas pipeline system in B.C. “This involves undertaking a rigorous inspection of every section of pipeline using sophisticated tools that detect potential problems. This comprehensive program also involves integrity digs and maintenance where necessary.” — see ‘ENBRIDGE IS, page 3

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