January 20, 2014 - 2:13 PM
VICTORIA - A British Columbia First Nation says the provincial government is taking the rights of aboriginal peoples for granted when it comes to consulting on proposed liquefied natural gas developments.
Wet'suwet'en (Wet-SO'-wetun) Chief Karen Ogen (Oh-gen) is warning Premier Christy Clark to immediately start talks over the developments, including offering First Nations a fair share of LNG revenues, estimated at $9 billion a year.
Ogen says her band sent Clark a letter last August urging her to start consultations but there's been no reply even though the government is meeting with the industry as it develops regulatory and taxation policies.
Ogen says LNG development decisions have the potential to shape and impact aboriginal lands for the next 30 years and First Nations want to be part of the process.
The premier has said LNG development in B.C. is a $1-trillion opportunity that could create up to 100,000 jobs.
Ogen says the Wet-su'wet'en are waiting until the end of this month for the B.C. government to start consultations or the First Nation will take other steps to ensure the province meets its constitutional obligations.
News from © The Canadian Press, 2014