By CKPG Today

First Nations

Area First Nations express opposition to proposed $5.6 billion petrochemical project

Dec 17, 2020 | 12:48 PM

PRINCE GEORGE — West Coast Olefins Ltd (WCOL) and its proposed $5.6 billion petrochemical project do not have the support of two area First Nations.

In a joint news release, the Lheidli T’enneh Nation and McLeod Lake Indian Band make that opposition clear.

Dayi Pountney of the Lheidli T’enneh says his nation began discussions with the company in February 2018.

“During the last 32 months we have worked with West Coast Olefins in good faith and we have expended countless hours and dollars in our attempts to build a relationship that is respectful and transparent. Even when when the project location was moved north of Prince George, we still maintained our commitment to negotiations via our partnership with McLeod Lake Indian Band.”

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Chief Chingee of the McLeod Lake Indian Band adds that although his nation spent “significant time and resources into the negotiations with WCOL, no agreement was reached.”

“It’s time to move on and work with industry partners that understand and respect Aboriginal rights, title and interests.”

Both nations add that they are not in support of WCOL advancing their project in Prince George and that there “will be no future negotiations between the parties,” moving forward.

The joint statement comes just days after West Coast Olefins announced its intentions to build their proposed project in at the BCR Industrial Site.