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Eagle Spirit Energy's pipeline plan in northern B.C. gets backing of First Nations chiefs

As other pipeline proposals from Alberta's oilsands to the West Coast appear stalled, Eagle Spirit claimed that it now has the support of every First Nation chief along its pipeline route

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CALGARY – As other pipeline proposals from Alberta’s oilsands to the West Coast appear stalled, Eagle Spirit Energy Holdings Ltd. claimed Tuesday that it now has the support of every First Nation chief along the route of its own proposed oil pipeline through northern B.C.

A group of aboriginal chiefs in northern British Columbia declared their support for a pipeline corridor that would connect Albertan oil and gas plays with the Pacific in a letter delivered Tuesday to Prime Minister Stephen Harper and the premiers of Alberta, B.C. and Saskatchewan.

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The company also indicated in a release that those chiefs supported natural gas pipelines along the proposed “pipeline corridor.”

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“Eagle Spirit’s proposal fairly compensates First Nations for the risks posed to our traditional territories through meaningful revenue generation, business, employment, education, training and capacity building opportunities promoting economic self-sufficiency for our communities and their members,” said the letter signed by the chiefs.

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It added that the First Nations along the pipeline “recognize the importance of alternative oil export markets to our national economy” but would “continue to steadfastly oppose all other oil pipeline proposals.”

The chiefs maintained that Eagle Spirit would consult with First Nations on the design, engineering, construction and operation of the pipeline and corridor to ensure the project exceeds regulatory requirements.

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Eagle Spirit is backed by the Aquilini Group, which owns the Vancouver Canucks NHL franchise, and is proposing an oilsands pipeline between Fort McMurray, Alta. and Prince Rupert, B.C. at an estimated cost of $14 billion.

The letter included the signature of Lax Kw’alaams hereditary chief Alexander Campbell, whose First Nation’s traditional territory includes Prince Rupert – the terminal point for Eagle Spirit’s proposed oil pipeline and marine terminal.

Various Lax Kw’alaams members, including the community’s mayor, said in June that Eagle Spirit was over-stating First Nations support in the area.

However, Campbell said the group now supports Eagle Spirit, after a community meeting was held with the company in a local gymnasium this summer.

“They gave us time to ask questions, and a lot of people asked questions, and when they were here in Prince Rupert. I got up and said ‘I don’t see how we can let this one bypass us,’” Campbell said.

In May, Lax Kw’alaams members voted against a $1-billion deal with Malaysia’s state-owned energy company, Petronas, over the construction of a liquefied natural gas facility in the area.

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Campbell confirmed that Eagle Spirit is offering First Nations equity ownership in the pipeline in addition to business opportunities, educational opportunities and various other community benefits, like support for the community’s seniors.

Eagle Spirit has yet to disclose the final details of its proposed pipeline route, but the company’s press release said “the parties are presently working together to determine the final route and towards the completion of final binding agreements.”

The company also established a chiefs’ council, which Campbell said would vet any and all development decisions related to the pipeline.

“As meaningful participants and owners of the Eagle Spirit project, we know that our economic future, as well as that of the Canadian economy, is best served by ensuring that oil can reach markets abroad in the safest way possible,” said Wesley Sam, the chiefs’ council representative in a release.

“We refuse to see oil shipped by rail through our traditional territories,” he said.

gmorgan@nationalpost.com

Twitter.com/geoffreymorgan

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