Kitimat Council has already endorsed the LNG Canada project, and now they have added their support to the pipeline which would supply it.
TransCanada had asked the District of Kitimat for a letter of support for the Coastal GasLink pipeline, as part of the company’s process as they work towards a final investment decision, says a report to council from District staff.
“There is very limited opposition to the project, and many Aboriginal communities, local businesses, other local governments, and individuals support this project,” continue the report, prepared by the District’s Economic Development Office.
“This project, along with other proposed LNG projects, will bring significant benefits to Kitimat.”
The natural gas pipeline has worked out a number of project agreements along its route with Aboriginal communities, but still faces opposition from the Unis’tot’en clan.
The group has blocked attempts by company officials to enter the territory, and has held up work enough that the company has actually altered their proposed route.
GasLink is a proposed 48-inch pipe that runs 670km from the Dawson Creek area.
In Terrace the city voted to withhold their own letter of support until after they could meet with the provincial government over revenue sharing agreements. Terrace Mayor Carol Leclerc called it a tactical move:
“This is a strategic move to hold the province’s feet to the fire,” she told the Terrace Standard paper.
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See also an op-ed from the Kitimat Mayor.