B.C. groups ask court to block approval of Northern Gateway pipeline

Environmental groups and First Nations argue review panel made decision on “insufficient” evidence

By Peter O’Neil, Vancouver Sun January 18, 2014
OTTAWA — A long-expected stampede to the courts has begun as environmental groups and First Nations seek to block Enbridge Inc’s proposed $7.9-billion Northern Gateway megaproject.

Four similar actions filed in the Federal Court of Appeal in Vancouver on Friday ask the court to block Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s government from approving Enbridge’s application to construct a pipeline from northern Alberta to Kitimat on the B.C. coast.

One action was filed by ForestEthics Advocacy, Living Oceans Society and Raincoast Conservation Foundation, three B.C.-based groups that participated in the 18-month review by the Joint Review Panel. Similar actions were filed by the Haisla Nation, the Gitxaala Nation and by the Environmental Law Centre at the University of Victoria on behalf of B.C. Nature and Nature Canada…

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