By Matt Fetinko

No Coastal GasLink resolution found following Wiggus Table between Hereditary Chiefs, Province

Feb 5, 2020 | 4:00 PM

PRINCE GEORGE — A discussion table known as Wiggus, or respect, was held between Hereditary Chiefs and the Province, with Monday and Tuesday designed specifically for discussion and a cooling off or preparation period for the previous five days. It was an effort to de-escalate the ongoing conflict surrounding the Coastal GasLink project. But no resolution was found.

Statements were released shortly after talks broke down. Part of Coastal GasLink’s reads as follows: “We are disappointed that discussions have ended without a resolution that would prevent the enforcement of the Interlocutory Injunction. Coastal GasLink has had our senior leadership team in Smithers since Sunday to meet with the Hereditary Chiefs if required. Unfortunately, we were unable to meet with the Chiefs.”

Meanwhile, Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation Minister, Scott Fraser, also released a statement. Part of it read “While we were not successful in finding a resolution to the current situation, we continue to remain open to dialogue with the Wet’suwet’en leadership on this issue.”

Hereditary Chief Woos believes Coastal GasLink is preparing to ask for police enforcement of an expanded BC Supreme Court injunction issued late last year preventing interference with crews, warning enforcement is imminent. Hereditary Chiefs and the Province have stated safety needs to remain the top priority for all parties involved.