By The Canadian Press

LNG

Coastal Gas Link blockades a ‘dress rehearsal’ for future project fights; Kenney

Feb 11, 2020 | 4:00 PM

CALGARY – Alberta Premier Jason Kenney says he’s concerned blockades in support of First Nations opponents to a northern British Columbia natural gas pipeline are a “dress rehearsal” for opposition to future energy projects.

Demonstrations have blocked railways, ports and bridges across the country in solidarity with those fighting the Coastal Gas Link project that crosses the traditional territory of the Wet’suwet’en First Nation.

Kenney describes the protests as “ecocolonialism” from southern Canadians “projecting their own fringe political agenda.”

He says they are not about Indigenous rights because 20 elected First Nations band councils along the pipeline route support the project.

He adds anyone demonstrating because of the its climate impact is also hypocritical.

Kenney says that’s because the pipeline would enable countries such as China to burn liquefied natural gas from Canada instead of dirtier coal.