Leadership from Squamish, Tsleil-Waututh, Coldwater voiced their disappointment with the Federal Court of Appeal’s decision to uphold the federal government’s re-approval of the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion at a news conference this afternoon in Vancouver.
And also made clear that for them, this fight is not over.
“We always said that we’d do what it takes to stop this pipeline,” said Rueben George, speaking on behalf of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation.
“This government is incapable of making sound decisions for our future generations — so we are and we will. Even for their children.”
Squamish, Tsleil-Waututh, Coldwater and a collective of bands within the Sto:lo nation squared off against the federal government in the Federal Court of Appeal in December, arguing that Ottawa failed, again, to conduct meaningful consultations with them about the expansion and that the project should be cancelled.
In a unanimous decision released Tuesday, the court dismissed their appeals, finding there was no basis for the court to interfere in the federal re-approval decision.
“This was anything but a rubber-stamping exercise,” the court said.
“The end result was not a ratification of the earlier approval, but an approval with amended conditions flowing directly from renewed consultation.”
The First Nation appellants still have 60 days to seek leave for an appeal with the Supreme Court of Canada, something those at the news conference said they’ll discuss with their legal teams.
There is also an outstanding appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada on the project re-approval, filed by Squamsih, Tsleil-Waututh and three environment groups. As a court of leave, the Supreme Court has yet to make a decision if it will hear the case.
