Federal Court of Appeal dismisses challenge to Trans Mountain
With our partners EcoJustice and Living Oceans, we still have an appeal with the Supreme Court to hear our case alleging that the federal government violated the Species at Risk Act when it approved the pipeline for a second time.
Today the Federal Court of Appeal dismissed a challenge to the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion.⠀
Tsleil-Waututh Nation, Squamish Nation, Coldwater Indian Band and a coalition of small First Nations from the Fraser Valley argued that the government came into the consultations having predetermined the outcome.⠀
The court concluded that there is no basis for interfering with the second authorization of the expansion, and dismissed the challenge.
It’s a shame that we are at this point where further legal action must be considered when it is clear that this project does not have the free, prior and informed consent of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation, even when Canada’s scientists agreed with ours. This is not just a First Nations issue. It is an issue for everyone who is impacted by this project, those who live along the pipeline and tanker route, or anyone who cares about the sensitive habitat for orcas, salmon and thousands of birds and other species that could be seriously impacted by this dangerous project.
Chief Leah George-Wilson of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation
With our partners EcoJustice and Living Oceans, we still have an appeal with the Supreme Court to hear our case alleging that the federal government violated the Species at Risk Act when it approved the pipeline for a second time. If built, the noise from increased tanker traffic and the risk of a catastrophic oil spill associated with the project would pose significant additional threats to the already imperilled and Southern Residents.⠀
Photo by Sara Shimazu.
#undrip #indigenousrights @twn_sacred_trust @ecojustice_ca and @living_oceans @hysazu
