Asia-Pacific

Last political hurdles for Canadian Arctic gas pipeline cleared

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-12-21 14:37
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OTTAWA - After 40 years of opposition from Canadian Indian and Eskimo groups and from environmentalists, a pipeline to carry Arctic gas to southern Canada has won support of native groups and been given federal approval.

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The 1,200-km-long pipeline was first proposed in the 1970s, but was opposed by native and environmental groups who claimed the pipeline, which is expected to be built above the ground, would disrupt the migration of caribou herds. Natives living in the region said they depended on these animals for food.

If the pipeline is built, it will involve ownership by aboriginal people in the Mackenzie Valley, a groundbreaking approach to aboriginal partnership. The Indians and Inuit of the western Arctic are expected to have a C$3-billion ($2.95-billion) stake in the C$16-billion($15.7-billion) pipeline.

"I am aware of the arguments made over many years regarding the effect of such a project on the environment," said Mary Simon, president of Inuit Taparit Kanatami, a group that lobbies the government. "I respect those views and I respect the environment."

"Now it is time to respect the need for aboriginal communities to participate in opportunities offered by this project to improve their own economies and livelihoods," she said.

Last week, after months of hearing testimony from native groups, environmentalists, oil companies and government officials, the government's National Energy Board (NEB) gave final approval for the project.

The NEB argued the pipeline, if built, would be the largest infrastructure project ever attempted in Canada's North.

"We looked at how the project would contribute to sustainability in the way it would affect the people, the land where they live, and the economy, now and in the future," the NEB panel said. "We recognize that the Mackenzie Gas Project would have much larger and more far-reaching effects than previous developments in the North."

The pipeline could carry 1.2 billion cubic feet of natural gas per day. That is enough gas to heat 4 million Canadian homes.