Band Challenges Pipeline In Court

Band Challenges Pipeline In Court

Tuesday, June 03, 2008 at 15:30

 

 

A legal challenge that has pitted a First Nation against an oil and gas giant unfolded in a Federal Court of Appeal in Regina today.

 

The Standing Buffalo First Nation wants a judicial review of a decision that allowed Enbridge to build a pipeline on what the band says is traditional Dakota land in southern Saskatchewan.

 

Lawyers for the First Nation say the National Energy Board refused to acknowledge the group’s land claim issue when it approved the pipeline.

 

The court is being asked to quash the decision.

 

But Enbridge says the legal challenge should be dismissed.

 

Company lawyer Rick Newfeld told the three judge panel that the Aboriginal community was fairly dealt with at board hearings.

 

Enbridge officials also note that the roughly 60 kilometres of new pipeline is adjacent to an existing pipeline.

 

The court has reserved judgement.

 

(courtesy of The Canadian Press)