A group of northwestern B.C. Indigenous leaders is encouraged by meetings with the NDP government about the prospects for liquefied natural gas development.

Members of the First Nations LNG Alliance travelled to Victoria this week, after Premier John HorganB次元官网网址檚 government breathed new life into the emerging industry with tax incentives for the Shell-led LNG Canada project that would include an export terminal at Kitimat.

The Alliance is chaired by Chief Dan George of the , formerly known as the Burns Lake Band. He said the groupB次元官网网址檚 role is to present the benefits and risks to communities along the proposed pipeline that would cross their territories.

B次元官网网址淭here are very few opportunities that come along in northern B.C.,B次元官网网址� George said in an interview with Black Press. B次元官网网址淲e have very small communities, we donB次元官网网址檛 have prime real estate, so our economic development is very limited. These are once-in-a-lifetime opportunities for us.B次元官网网址�

The main environmental disturbance in the northwest today is the aftermath of the pine beetle epidemic. The salvage logging that followed has left clearcuts that extend for 30 km or more.

The TsB次元官网网址檌l Kaz Koh council has been working for five years with TransCanada, proponent of the Coastal Gaslink pipeline that would bring natural gas from the northeast to the coast.

B次元官网网址淎 pipeline uses a 200-metre right of way, and itB次元官网网址檚 relatively small compared to the big picture in northern B.C.,B次元官网网址� George said.

Karen Ogen-Toews is a former chief of and now CEO of First Nations LNG Alliance. She said the group had a warm reception from the NDP caucus, discussing environmental impact and the four conditions for LNG support set out by Horgan before last yearB次元官网网址檚 election.

The conditions are a fair return to B.C. for the gas resource, jobs and training, partnerships with Indigenous communities and projects that fit the provinceB次元官网网址檚 greenhouse gas commitments.

B次元官网网址淟ong before the NDP got in, we worked with both governments, and we have surpassed those four conditions,B次元官网网址� Ogen-Toews said.

Other alliance directors on the trip were Crystal Smith, Chief Councillor of the Haisla Nation, site of the proposed LNG Canada terminal, and Robert Dennis Sr., Chief Councillor Huu-ay-aht First Nations. Huu-ay-aht are partners on the Kwispaa (formerly Sarita) LNG project at Sarita Bay near the mouth of Alberni Inlet on Vancouver Island, the largest proposal that is not in the northwest.

Chief Clifford White of the represents the island group between the northwest mainland and Haida Gwaii, where the community known as Kitkatla has been occupied for 14,000 years.

White said the Gitxaala elected and hereditary leadership are concerned about the local environment, but also understand that LNG is a global project to replace coalB次元官网网址檚 impact on the atmosphere shared by all countries.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e still living in poverty, so the opportunities like LNG when they come along, are important,B次元官网网址� White said. B次元官网网址淲e have been fortunate that people have reached out in partnership with us.B次元官网网址�