On LNG, Gitxaala Nation says, whoa, wait a second there...

The prospect of multiple LNG export terminals, pipelines, tankers and all of that involved in the push for development of LNG infrastructure on the North Coast has given the Gitxaala Nation cause for pause and to set in motion a legal  challenge of the recently granted LNG export licence.

Applying to Federal Court the Gitxaala nation has applied to have set aside, the 25 year export licence recently granted to LNG Canada Development in Kitimat.

Setting in motion a challenge to amendments that the Federal Government made to Bill C-38 last year, which eliminated the requirement of assessment reviews.

According to Robert Janes, the lawyer representing the Gitxaala Nation, the challenge will mark the first time that a court has been asked to consider the amendments from the Bill C-38 changes.

The First Nation located to the south of Prince Rupert reportedly first outlined their thoughts on the topic back in September of 2012, raising concerns with the Federal Minister of Aboriginal Affairs. Officials of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Transport Canada and the Environment Ministry were also advised of concerns of the Gitxaala Nation at that time as well.

Among their points of concern, the passing of LNG tanker traffic in their traditional waters, affects that the traffic may have on their aboriginal harvesting rights to fish, shellfish and herring, as well as the impact that the tanker traffic may have on the marine plant and sea life in the region.

A full review of their legal movements can be found through the metronews portal, which was first to offer up word of the Gitxaala court plans today.

The Gitxaala concerns with the NEB licence process  were outlined last month in a feature item in the Tyee, which provided a review of the controversy and offered up the rumblings of potential court action.

Word of the Gitxaala Nation's court plans come out at the same time that Shell begins its process of Assessment for the LNG plant in question, a process that the Gitxaala Nation seemingly doesn't have much faith in.

It's not the first time that opposition to the proposed LNG developments has been raised, you can review some of the background on past concerns from the LNG file from our archive page.


April 5--CFTK--  Gitxaala Fights Feds to Voice their Opinions on Export LNG
April 5-- CFTK-- Gitxaala LNG Court (video)
April 4-- Northern View-- Gitxaala taking feds to court over export LNG licence