OTTAWA - Elizabeth May, Leader of the Green Party and MP for Saanich-Gulf Islands, urged the federal government to act to avoid a potentially violent conflict on Lelu Island and Flora Bank. Petronas, the Malaysian state owned enterprise, has identified the island for the development of LNG.
The Prince Rupert Port Authority has provided a permit to a contractor for Petronas, Bechtel, for removal of vegetation, including important cultural information of the Lax Kw'alaams First Nation. Despite the fact that the project as a whole has not received Federal approval, the work under the Port Authority permit will irreparably harm Lelu Island. Lelu Island is the subject of a First Nations title action. Ultimately, the project will irreparably harm the entire Skeena fishery through the destruction of critical habitat.
"Word reached me late today that the situation on the ground is tense. The risk of violent conflict is real," said Elizabeth May. "Cooler heads must prevail and the Port Authority must be pressed to stop the Bechtel activity on First Nations lands in favour of dialogue and the completion of the Federal review process.
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