Why The UN Is Getting Involved With 3 Big B.C. Energy Projects
While some First Nation communities have reached agreements in support of the energy projects, proper approval of these projects doesn’t come down to a vote where a simple majority wins, said Raven Trust director Ana Simeon. Raven is a charity that helps Indigenous communities enforce their rights and titles to traditional territory.
All Indigenous people impacted must agree to the terms after meaningful consultation, said Simeon. For large projects like the Trans Mountain pipeline there are dozens of communities along the route, and it can be challenging to fight back.
“Part of the problem is there is no easy mechanism for nations to enforce their rights,” she said. “They can go to court for judicial review of the project, but that costs millions and millions of dollars.”