Haisla Nation elected Chief Councillor Maureen Nyce says a new ownership agreement in the Coastal GasLink pipeline realizes a long-held goal for her community and shows industry is “moving in the right direction.”
The deal with TC Energy, announced October 13, gives five northern B.C. First Nations an undisclosed equity stake in the pipeline, which supplies natural gas to the LNG Canada export terminal on Haisla traditional territory.
“We have worked with Coastal GasLink for years to make Indigenous ownership a reality, and we are proud to see that work come to fruition today,” said Nyce, whose Nation is also the majority owner of the Cedar LNG project, currently under construction with partner Pembina Pipeline Corporation.
“Haisla Nation has always believed that Indigenous Nations must have a share and a say in the development that happens in their territories,” she said.
“When Nations are owners and not only hosts, we can build generational prosperity in line with our values so that our people have access to the opportunities they need to live fulfilling lives.”
Karen Ogen, CEO of the First Nations Natural Gas Alliance, said the agreement gives participating communities greater control over their economic future.
“This is what economic reconciliation looks like,” said Ogen, former elected chief of the Wet'suwet'en First Nation.
“Ownership means long-term revenue that First Nations control, for housing, health care, and keeping their languages and culture strong.”
West Moberly First Nations Chief Roland Willson also described the agreement as an important step for his community.
“This investment framework recognizes the importance of partnership, financial certainty and shared prosperity, while supporting our communities’ ability to make decisions about our own economic future,” Willson said.
No financial terms were released about the agreement between TC Energy and the FN CGL Pipeline Ltd. Partnership, whose other members include Halfway River First Nation, McLeod Lake Indian Band and Saulteau First Nations.
TC Energy signed option agreements with 20 Indigenous communities along the pipeline corridor in March 2022 for the potential sale of a 10 per cent equity interest in Coastal GasLink.
The company said the agreement is the first of two planned Indigenous investment transactions related to the pipeline, with the second expected to close before the end of the year.
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