Coast GasLink

Coastal GasLink delivers its message

Jan 27, 2020 | 11:56 AM

PRINCE GEORGE – “Time is running short.”

Those were the words from Coast GasLink President David Pfeiffer today, during a media availability interview. A blockade of the Morrice River Bridge has been in place for more than a year, but the company says an access protocol had been reached, allowing Coastal GasLink workers to the site south of Houston, BC. But an injunction was issued by the BC Supreme Court on New Year’s Eve and the Unist’ot’en opted to terminate that protocol.

“Time is running short”

Pfeiffer notes the blockade is hindering some of the next steps in the project.

“We had really planned to move out the existing worker accommodation site, 9A, and replace it with a larger camp that would put us in a position to start major construction this summer.”

To this point, Coast GasLink has only communicated publicly via written statements and was asked why it has come out publicly today.

“We are trying to send a message to the Hereditary Chiefs that we’d like to sit down with them and work through the issues. It’s really hard to resolve something peacefully when we’re not able to talk to them.”

He noted that the project meets all the regulatory requirements and has the blessing of Premier John Horgan.

“We are supportive of the efforts being made by the Province to engage with the Office of the Wet’suwet’en and hope that their discussions can assist in prompting dialogue between Coastal Gas Link and Office of the Wet’suwet’en to enable construction to commence.”

Last week, Premier Horgan suggested the provincial Minister of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation, Scott Fraser, was heading west to meet with the Hereditary Chiefs.

Pfeiffer says the project has “not been significantly impacted” but has suggested the project will move forward, regardless.

“We’re working with all the stakeholders now. Government, the RCMP as well, Indigenous communities. And we’re all working together, trying to find a peaceful resolution. I wouldn’t put a time limit on it. I just think, from our point of view, we know time is getting short as far as our schedule and we will start seeing impacts at some point. Our efforts are to try to find a peaceful resolution here and avoid enforcement.”

To date, the project is on schedule to provide natural gas to LNG Canada’s site in Kitimat.