‘You don’t want to be against everything’
Some New Brunswick aboriginal groups are keeping an open mind on oil and gas projects — and eyeing value
W ith many First Nations incensed by the federal government’s approval of Enbridge Inc.’s Northern Gateway pipeline, the industry is eyeing Canada’s east coast as an alternative to get to tidewater.
TransCanada Corp.’s 1.1-million barrel-per-day Energy East project, which traverses six provinces and would end up at a brand new marine terminal at the port of Saint John, N.B., offers the industry a viable eastern outlet.
While oil and gas projects represent an enticing economic elixir in debt-heavy New Brunswick, with an unemployment rate of 10.5%, it has also sparked environmental concerns among some living in areas of potential development with much of the opposition coming from First Nations’ communities.
Opposition, however, is not universal and many New Brunswick aboriginal groups are hoping to hear about the benefits that would accrue to them from this and other fossil-fuel developments.
“There’s a real opportunity for First Nations people,” T.J. Burke, one of the province’s few aboriginal lawyers and a representative of First Nations who could be impacted by the pipeline. “But I don’t know how we do that unless we are sitting at the table and becoming a part of the solu- tion — versus being ignored and creating a problem for the company.”
Mr. Burke says he is hoping to see “creative” suggestions for how First Nations can benefit from the project, such as environmental trust funds, and river and forest restoration programs.
The project could impact 155 First Nation and Metis communities across Canada. “We have engaged with all of them at a very early stage and will continue to do so. To this day we have signed letters of agreement with almost half of them,” Philippe Cannon, a TransCanada spokesman said.
In New Brunswick, the company is talking with 14 First Nations. Mr. Cannon says the next step involves the release of a Communications and Engagement Funding Agreement, which will outline the engagement process. TransCanada plans to apply for a pipeline permit this year.
The pipeline would provide jobs for aboriginals in both the construction and operation stages, as well as through the potential to supply TransCanada with materials and services, Mr. Cannon said.
First Nations engagement is vital as Canada looks to build energy infrastructure to export its formidable crude oil and natural gas reserves.
“On the public perception point of view, I think Northern Gateway still has some significant challenges; Trans Mountain has some significant challenges; Energy East may be not so much, partly because it’s not in the regulator’s eyes yet.” said Peter Howard, president of the Canadian Energy Research Institute. “My personal perception is Energy East will be built before Gateway.”
But the industry is nervous given the province’s recent episodes of anti-oil protests.
We’re willing to sit at the table and negotiate with anybody
Things came to a head in October last year when police tried to halt a blockade set up by anti-shale gas protesters in Rexton, N.B., including members of the nearby Elsipogtog First Nation. The showdown took place at an equipment depot held by SWN Resources Canada, a Moncton, N.B.based company exploring for natural gas in the province. The situation turned violent with 40 people arrested and six police vehicles burned.
The protests may give the impression that New Brunswick First Nations are anti-development, but Craig Leonard, the province’s energy minister, says the majority of First Nations are supportive of the economic development that energy companies could bring.
“There’s no question about that. We’ve been told repeatedly that First Nations are pro-development,” he said. “But at the same time, there has to be proper consultation and they want to make sure they’re partners in the process. We’ve said all along that that is our intention.
“Quite a bit of discussion has taken place,” the minister said, pointing to multiple meetings with local chiefs and councils. “But we’re still at the exploration stage, so there’s not a lot of details that we can discuss in terms of what’s actually there and how it will all play out.” Still, fears persist. Mr. Burke, who has been closely involved with some of the more vocal aboriginal protesters, says the Elsipogtog band worries that hydraulic fracturing could harm the local water supply.
There are also worries about the potential impact on the land and wildlife — and, in turn, the band’s ability to “fish and forest and gather. There are concerns that what SWN is doing may impact their traditional way of life,” said Mr. Burke, who is based in Fredericton but works with First Nation bands throughout the Maritimes.
A Maliseet whose family hails from the Tobique First Nation, Mr. Burke previously served as the province’s justice minister and attorney general. He was also the first aboriginal elected to the provincial legislature.
SWN Resources, which declined to comment on this story, has filed Environmental Impact Assessments for four test wells in New Brunswick.
Mr. Burke says the company is obligated to “reset the button on consultation,” and he expects the company to shortly begin “reconciliation meetings” with the band.
“The band has two options: The band is going to have to meet with them; or the band is going to have to oppose them, and we end up back in court again,” he said. “At this point I’m not sure what direction we’re going to take.”
Mr. Burke says jobs and economic development would be welcomed at the Elsipogtog First Nation.
“It just cannot compromise the integrity of how the band has lived for the last 2,000 years,” he said. “The band wants to move forward, obviously. Nobody wants to live in abject poverty.”
Terry Richardson, a councillor with New Brunswick’s Pabineau First Nation, says his community is open for business, but with similar provisions.
“As long as environmental concerns are addressed and there’s First Nations involvement, we’re willing to work with any proponent [on] any type of development,” he said. “We’re willing to sit at the table and negotiate with anybody.”
The Pabineau, he adds, don’t want to be “left out of the equation, which is what has happened for the last umpteen years.”
Currently, there’s talk of shipping oil by rail to the nearby Port of Belledune. The route would take the oil across traditional Pabineau land.
“It’s hard to say how we’re going to approach it until we sit down with the proponent and let him know what our concerns are. There’s a risk with all type of development and you have to weigh the pros and the cons,” Mr. Richardson said. “The northern part of New Brunswick is hurting a bit when it comes to job creation. You don’t want to be against everything.”