BY BILL PHILLIPS
Ottawa is committed to supporting the liquefied natural gas sector in British Columbia, in general, and the LNG Canada project, specifically, says Natural Resources Minister Amarjeet Sohi.
“Our government firmly believes that we need to get our oil and gas resources to the global markets,” he said in an interview Wednesday. “We need to expand our markets beyond the United States and the LNG Canada project is one of the largest private sector investments in Canada.”
He added that providing liquefied natural gas to countries in Asia will allow those countries to reduce, or stop, using coal to produce energy.
“It’s a win-win situation for the environment, for our economy,” he said.
He added the pipeline has gone through the regulatory process, he said, which included signing benefit agreements with 20 Indigenous communities along the path of the pipeline between Dawson Creek and Kitimat.
Wet’suwet’en hereditary chiefs are opposing the pipeline going through traditional territory and, earlier this money, 14 people were arrested at a blockade south of Houston.
“I appreciate the diversity of opinion among First Nations leaders,” said Sohi. “It is our role, as the federal government, to make sure we are providing the necessary support and resources for communities to meaningfully participate in consultations related to resource development projects and that is what we will continue to focus on.”