Ontario’s First Nations leaders are demanding the National Energy Board halt its review of TransCanada Corp.’s Energy East project until they can be properly consulted. In a letter to Natural Resources Minister Greg Rickford, Ontario regional chief Stan Beardy said First Nations have “grave concern” about the NEB process, saying the board has been inaccessible and unwilling to share information with them.
“The process is unable to discharge the duty to consult and accommodate, lacks transparency in decision making, and in contrary to the principle of free, prior and informed consent,” Mr. Beardy wrote in a letter released Thursday.
Aboriginal leaders have often turned to the courts when they believe they have not been properly consulted, and Mr. Beardy’s letter raises the odds that the Energy East proposal would face a legal challenge if approved by Ottawa.
Shawn McCarthy – Globe and Mail – February 5, 2015
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