The B.C. government and the Haisla First Nation (HFN) signed an agreement September 14 that could help fast-track a liquified natural gas (LNG) plant near Kitimat and help Victoria realize its goal to have three LNG terminals and their connecting pipelines operating by 2020.
The pact provides the structure for a land purchase or lease that will allow the HFN to partner with industry to develop a LNG facility and marine export terminal on the west side of the Douglas Channel on land near the Haisla Reserve #6.
"This gives the Haisla and associated projects the certainty needed for the LNG proposals and other projects coming forward for our territory," said HFN chief councillor Ellis Ross. "If we are able to do this, the Haisla people will benefit, as will all British Columbians and Canadians."
Aboriginal Relations Minister Ida Chong added that the agreement is "key to unlocking the vast potential of a new natural gas export industry in B.C."
The three LNG terminals and connected pipelines anticipated to be in operation by 2020 would create more than 1,400 permanent jobs and an estimated $600 billion in economic activity over 30 years.
The drive has been on to build LNG terminals and pipelines in B.C. because the price for natural gas is substantially higher in Asia than it is in North America.
