What happened: B.C. Premier John Horgan says the Coastal GasLink pipeline project will move forward.
Why it matters: The line, which faces significant opposition from Wet’suwet’en hereditary chiefs, connects liquefied natural gas resources to LNG Canada’s multibillion-dollar refinery facility in Kitimat.
In his first press conference of the year, B.C. Premier John Horgan confirmed that the Coastal GasLink pipeline project – critical to the success of LNG Canada’s multibillion-dollar refinery facility in Kitimat – will be moving forward.
“There are agreements from the Peace country to Kitimat with Indigenous communities that want to see economic activity and prosperity take place. All of the permits are in place for this project to proceed. It will be proceeding,” Horgan said on Monday (January 13).
His remarks come as the project faces ongoing protests and opposition from Wet’suwet’en hereditary chiefs.
On Monday, hereditary chiefs announced they had submitted a formal request that the United Nations monitor Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), government and Coastal GasLink actions as work on the project resumes.
They claim RCMP have increased their presence in the area, and have been conducting fly-overs, drone surveillance and foot patrols.
They also claim that neither provincial or federal governments have agreed to meet with them.
