The Gitanyow Hereditary Chiefs do not recognize the legal validity of the B.C. Government’s decision announced today in favour of a “substantial start” designation being granted for the Prince Rupert Gas Transmission project and vow to continue their fight to stop construction of the pipeline on their land.

The proposed 900-kilometre pipeline, which would transport natural gas from northeastern B.C. to a proposed liquefied natural gas facility on the west coast, does not have the consent of the Gitanyow to pass through 50 kilometres of their territory. Consent for projects affecting First Nations’ territories is required under B.C.’s Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act.

The Gitanyow voiced significant concerns about how the “substantial start” decision was being determined which were not addressed by the B.C. Government.  They hold that the threshold for a substantial start on the pipeline project has not been met, the government has failed to follow its own process to determine a “substantial start“ and the project’s environmental assessment certificate has expired.

The Gitanyow raised serious concerns not addressed by this decision including:

• The project has changed significantly since it was first approved more than a decade ago, including route changes for a new terminus.
• The cumulative effects assessment that is a permit requirement prior to construction was not completed and is the subject of a court action by three community organizations and local First Nations.

The Gitanyow hold that further construction on the pipeline should not proceed. The B.C. Energy Regulator should be required to abide by the provincial Environmental Assessment Act and not authorize further activity without a valid Environmental Certificate.

Quotes:
“The Union of BC Indian Chiefs stands with the Gitanyow and opposes the Prince Rupert Gas Transmission pipeline. The Province is going against its own promises and laws yet again. There are First Nations who have very loudly stated their opposition to this pipeline and they will continue to do so. The Declaration Act and interim approach are being tossed out the window. This is not a government who believes in reconciliation and it could trigger a long, hot summer.”
-Grand Chief Stewart Phillp, UBCIC President

“This decision makes a mockery of the true purpose and intent of what is considered to be a “substantial start” for major infrastructure projects. It leaves us asking, why does the government have processes if it doesn’t intend to follow them and continues to exclude concerns raised by impacted First Nations?

“We are fighting for the right to prevent environmental destruction on our territory and address our concerns that LNG development is further accelerating the climate crisis.

“Our livelihoods depend on healthy and abundant sockeye from the Nass and Skeena rivers. This pipeline would cut across some of the healthiest intact salmon watersheds left in B.C.

“Combined with Bill 15, proposed legislation to fast-track provincially significant projects, it’s a slap in the face to many First Nations working to hold industry to account and a big step backwards on reconciliation.”
-Naxginkw/Tara Marsden, Wilp Sustainability Director

“This decision isn’t the end of the story for us. We’ll continue to fight to protect our territory (Lax’yip) with all actions needed, in the courts and on the ground. From August to November 2024 we denied access for PRGT pipeline construction and we’ll be continuing our efforts to ensure no construction happens on our territory.

“We encourage those who want to show solidarity with Gitanyow to amplify our voices, let the B.C. government know that they don’t agree with this decision and donate to help sustain our actions.”
-Simooget Watakhayetsxw/Deborah Good

“This outdated risky project doesn’t meet our needs for a healthy climate and thriving environment for future generations, nor pass our Gitanyow climate test.

“We will not give up our calls to the B.C. government for a new environmental assessment and we remain committed to taking all legal actions necessary to ensure transparency, accountability and a rigorous and fair decision-making process for this project, something we haven’t seen.

“We’re obligated to fight to protect our Lax’yip so all generations of Gitanyow can thrive into the future.”
-Simooget Malii/Glen Williams

 Background:
What is a substantial start?
A substantial start decision is meant to balance the recognition that “it would be unwise to allow long-delayed projects to proceed based on reports and conditions that have become outdated” with the recognition that it may be inappropriate to require a proponent to commence a new provincial assessment for a project it has already physically started “in its essentials, in a real and tangible way”.

What has changed since the original environmental assessment?
Key elements of the proposed project have fundamentally changed since the environmental assessment certificate was issued over a decade ago. The science of understanding cumulative effects has changed significantly, and recognition of the rights of Indigenous nations has developed considerably over that same period — including, through the B.C. government’s overhaul of the Environmental Assessment Act to centre the environmental assessment process around Indigenous consent and “ensure that any decision taken on the question of consent by an Indigenous nation is free, prior and informed”, in addition to the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act being enacted.

For more information and media requests:
[email protected]

Theresa Beer
778-874-3396

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The Simigigyet’m Gitanyow (Gitanyow Hereditary Chiefs) are an innovative, traditional Indigenous government mandated to protect Gitanyow Nation’s lands, resources, and laws. The Gitanyow have never ceded or surrendered title to their lands, rights to their resources, or the power to make decisions within their Lax’yip (Territory). The Gitanyow Hereditary Chiefs’ goal is to establish government-to-government agreements that form the foundation of a modern-day treaty through an incremental treaty approach. In 2012, the Gitanyow Hereditary Chiefs and the province of British Columbia signed the Gitanyow Lax’yip Land Use Plan to guide all industrial activity. Gitanyow Nation is part of the larger Gitksan Nation, encompassing 6,200 square kilometres in the Nass and Skeena Watersheds (Kitwanga and Kispiox Rivers).

Learn more by visiting gitanyowchiefs.com and following @gitanyowchiefs on Instagram.

Related Media:
Prince Rupert Gas Transmission Pipeline Doesn’t Meet Substantial Start Threshold Say Gitanyow Chiefs https://www.gitanyowchiefs.com/news/prince-rupert-gas-transmission-pipeline-doesnt-meet-substantial-start-threshold-say-gitanyow-chiefs/

Gitanyow Chiefs Celebrate End of PRGT Pipeline, Plan Indigenous Protected Area to Prevent Pipeline Resurrection, Send Message to Potential Financiers & Investors https://www.gitanyowchiefs.com/news/gitanyow-chiefs-celebrate-end-of-prgt-pipeline-plan-indigenous-protected-area-to-prevent-pipeline-resurrection-send-message-to-potential-financiers-investors/