The Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations says the Saskatchewan government has a duty to consult First Nations, in drafting legislation which would limit the export of oil and gas products to British Columbia.
Premier Scott Moe says legislation restricting export permits on petroleum products from the province to BC is expected to be tabled in the coming days. This is in response to the BC government’s refusal to allow the construction of the Trans Mountain Pipeline to begin. That pipeline has already been green-lighted by the federal government.
“We have First Nations in our region who are concerned about pipelines running through their Treaty, traditional and reserve lands, particularly in light of the recent Husky Oil spill. We also have First Nations in Saskatchewan that participate within the oil and gas industry in this province” said FSIN Chief Bobby Cameron in a news release.
He stresses that the provincial government must consult First Nations and accommodate them on oil and gas legislation. “This is a classic case of the Province’s failure to consult. When the Province drafts legislation in any way related to resource development, it must consult First Nations and accommodate their interests,” Cameron stated.
Alberta has introduced legislation to restrict oil and gas to BC in retaliation. The BC government is threatening to sue Alberta if the legislation becomes law.
FSIN Vice Chief Heather Bear says if consultation was meaningful from the start, this trade dispute may not be unfolding. “Our First Nations are continually left out when it comes to making decisions about the lands and waters in this country,” says FSIN Vice Chief Heather Bear. “If meaningful consultation and accommodation was undertaken with First Nations regarding Trans Mountain, perhaps this wouldn’t be happening. More work needs to be done when it comes to not only consulting but accommodating those First Nations who will be impacted largely by the pipeline,” Bear said.