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| The Alberta government has introduced a new fund for Indigenous groups, providing funding for legal challenges in support of Alberta energy initiatives |
The Alberta government is taking its ongoing quest to get its resources to global markets to the court room and part of their revised strategy is to provide financial assistance to Indigenous groups and communities that are in favour of energy infrastructure development.
The 10 million dollar fund was announced this week by Alberta Premier Jason Kenney and is part of what the Alberta government has described as its Fight Back Strategy, to counter those moves in other provinces to stymie pipeline development and other energy related efforts.
“This fund is yet another component of our Fight Back Strategy to stand up against the foreign-funded special interests landlocking Alberta energy. Indigenous peoples who favour energy development are often left out of the conversation, and this fund will help defend their right to be consulted on major projects and ensure their voices are heard too.” -- Premier Jason Kenney
The Indigenous Litigation Fund is designed to provide financial support to groups, coalitions, privately funded societies, or alliances that include Indigenous peoples businesses, communities or groups.
The only provision being that the legal actions must be in support of the province's development of natural resources including, oil, natural gas, pipeline projects and forestry initiatives.
The details to the fund can be reviewed here.
One of the first groups to take the Alberta government up on their offer of funding, is the group behind the Eagle Spirit Pipeline project, which plans to make use of the financial assistance to further their challenge of the federal legislation that currently bans tanker traffic on the North Coast.
Calvin Helin, President and CEO of Eagle Spirit outlined those plans towards the legal challenge this week, noting how the case against the federal legislation is expected to be filed within the next month.
Alberta government sets aside funds for Indigenous legal challenges in support of energy projects
The Eagle Spirit proposal would create an energy corridor across Northern British Columbia to deliver potential gas and oil pipelines to a shipping terminal proposed for the Grassy Point area near Lax Kw'alaams.
As for the offer of cash for other legal challenges, many other First Nations however don't seem too inclined to take Mr. Kenney up on his funding; an indication as to the divide among First Nations when it comes to energy development and the Alberta government's approach towards it.
In the past, the fund had been compared to a divide and conquer tactic, it was first proposed as a campaign promise prior to the last Alberta election.
More on the Alberta government announcement of this week can be explored below:
Kenney marks milestone with announcements, UCP leadership race quesitons and budget warning
Kenney touts 'fiscal restraint' across government at 100 days in office
'Promises made, promises kept': Premier Kenney reflects on 100 days in office
Premier Kenney highlights UCP's first 100 days in office
Premier Kenney discusses accomplishments as UCP enters 100th day in office
You can find more background on the Eagle Spirit plans from our archive page here.
Cross posted from the North Coast Review.
“This fund is yet another component of our Fight Back Strategy to stand up against the foreign-funded special interests landlocking Alberta energy. Indigenous peoples who favour energy development are often left out of the conversation, and this fund will help defend their right to be consulted on major projects and ensure their voices are heard too.” -- Premier Jason Kenney
The Indigenous Litigation Fund is designed to provide financial support to groups, coalitions, privately funded societies, or alliances that include Indigenous peoples businesses, communities or groups.
The only provision being that the legal actions must be in support of the province's development of natural resources including, oil, natural gas, pipeline projects and forestry initiatives.
The details to the fund can be reviewed here.
One of the first groups to take the Alberta government up on their offer of funding, is the group behind the Eagle Spirit Pipeline project, which plans to make use of the financial assistance to further their challenge of the federal legislation that currently bans tanker traffic on the North Coast.
Calvin Helin, President and CEO of Eagle Spirit outlined those plans towards the legal challenge this week, noting how the case against the federal legislation is expected to be filed within the next month.
Alberta government sets aside funds for Indigenous legal challenges in support of energy projects
The Eagle Spirit proposal would create an energy corridor across Northern British Columbia to deliver potential gas and oil pipelines to a shipping terminal proposed for the Grassy Point area near Lax Kw'alaams.
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| The proposed Eagle Spirit Energy Corridor would bring oil and gas from Alberta to a terminal complex near Grassy Point at Lax Kw'alaams |
As for the offer of cash for other legal challenges, many other First Nations however don't seem too inclined to take Mr. Kenney up on his funding; an indication as to the divide among First Nations when it comes to energy development and the Alberta government's approach towards it.
In the past, the fund had been compared to a divide and conquer tactic, it was first proposed as a campaign promise prior to the last Alberta election.
More on the Alberta government announcement of this week can be explored below:
Kenney marks milestone with announcements, UCP leadership race quesitons and budget warning
Kenney touts 'fiscal restraint' across government at 100 days in office
'Promises made, promises kept': Premier Kenney reflects on 100 days in office
Premier Kenney highlights UCP's first 100 days in office
Premier Kenney discusses accomplishments as UCP enters 100th day in office
You can find more background on the Eagle Spirit plans from our archive page here.
Cross posted from the North Coast Review.
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