MLA Ellis Ross calls out Mark Ruffalo, other celebrities for pipeline criticism

The actor known for his role in Marvel’s The Avengers, said that RBC’s is financing fossil fuels and that the project is violating the rights of the Wet’suwet’en Peoples. Celebrities began to voice their concerns after learning that RBC is the parent company of California-based City National Bank—a popular bank used by many in Hollywood.

“Sometimes public pressure like this, is what makes people see things in a more honest, moral light.” said Ruffalo.

But one northern B.C. MLA has joined in on the conversation. Ellis Ross of Skeena says that these celebrities “haven’t done much homework in terms of what’s happening on the ground.”

In a tweet, Ross says that Canada is not a top global polluter and that the “pipeline has signed agreements with all the affected First Nations along the pipeline route.”

“I was part of those consultations in 2004. In fact if anything, it was First Nations along the pipeline route from 2004 to 2017–sorry, 2011– that actually brought LNG to B.C. We’re the ones who came up with it, we’re the ones who were pushing for it. It wasn’t B.C. government.” said Ross.

Ross, who is Indigenous, says that the celebrities are unaware in how the project came about. He adds that elected band councils from the affected First Nations are enjoying the benefits the project is creating for its communities. In 2018, an agreement was signed with the elected leaders for all 20 Indigenous communities.

The controversy surrounding the project is engagement with the Hereditary Chiefs.

CGL says it’s aware of the situation. In a statement to CKPG-TV, the company said:

“Coastal GasLink is very concerned that important facts are not being shared with groups and individuals who are concerned about Indigenous rights and climate change issues. After years of thoughtful engagement and dialogue, the Coastal GasLink project received unprecedented support from all 20 elected Indigenous communities along our project corridor. Building on this support, last week, we were proud to announce that we have signed equity option agreements with two entities representing 16 Nations across the project corridor for a 10 per cent equity ownership interest in Coastal GasLink – a first for a project of this scale. Read more: Indigenous groups sign historic equity option agreements with TC Energy on Coastal GasLink. “For many of us, this marks the first time that our Nations have been included as owners in a major natural resource project that is crossing our territories,” said Chief Corrina Leween of the Cheslatta Carrier Nation, member of the CGL First Nations Limited Partnership. CGL FNLP Press Release

Since the beginning of the Project, Coastal GasLink has sought to engage and consult with the Wet’suwet’en Houses through the Office of the Wet’suwet’en and the elected leadership. We want to listen and seek meaningful ways to address interests and concerns including ensuring the pipeline is built under the Morice River using the safest technology available. Coastal GasLink is committed to engaging with the Hereditary Chiefs and we would encourage those interested and concerned with this complex situation to build further understanding by reading a statement authored by members of the Gidimt’en Clan and released by Wet’suwet’en First Nation council.

Our Indigenous partners have been instrumental in the construction of Coastal GasLink. Since construction began, over $1 billion in contracts have been awarded to local Indigenous businesses and significant capacity is being developed in these communities through these partnerships and local job creation.

Coastal GasLink will deliver responsibly sourced and lower carbon supply of Canadian natural gas, through Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) to global markets which will offset more carbon intensive energy sources around the world. Independent analysis by the International Energy Agency (IEA) shows very clearly that natural gas displacement of coal fired electricity production is a critical part of the energy transition. As the world transitions to greener energy sources, the IEA reports Canada’s LNG export projects aim to be the world leaders in helping our society move towards less carbon-intensive energy.

Coastal GasLink recognizes that Indigenous reconciliation and addressing climate change are essential to creating a better, more sustainable world. We would encourage everyone interested to take the time to understand all the facts and the important role Indigenous communities have in developing and building the Project.”

Ross says the concerns from celebrities is hypocritical.

“Why are you singling out one single project in B.C., opposed to the many LNG projects that they had down in the United States? Why are you doing that?” said Ross.

In the past, the MLA has invited out Leonardo DiCaprio for discussions about the pipeline and is now extending that invitation to others.

“It’s time that we had a realistic conversation about energy. A very mature realistic conversation, because the energy, the energy politics is changing the world.” said Ross.

by Oli Herrera

MLA Ellis Ross calls out Mark Ruffalo, other celebrities for pipeline criticism

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